216 Montcalm Street: a vote of the city council in favour of a real estate project despite the opposition of citizens and a neighbouring clinic

Sonia Roy

At the April 12 City Council meeting, elected officials voted against a motion that would have put a pause on the 216 Montcalm Street real estate project in the Hull-Wright district. The project, a 10-storey mixed-use apartment building, would provide housing for a large number of people, with 96 units potentially available.

The project by Rossmann Architecture Group needed approval for a few minor variances to the existing zoning bylaw in order to move forward with the construction of a building that would directly contribute to the addition of housing in the area. Although this project is endorsed by some of the City of Gatineau's stakeholders, there is a protest movement in the area that includes both local citizens and some local businesses. This is the case of the Klinic de psychologie at 53 Crémazie Street, direct neighbour of the future building at 216 Montcalm Street. Indeed, during this session, the psychologists and practitioners of this psychological care clinic mentioned their position against the construction of the building as planned, which would have a direct view into their premises, since their exterior courtyards would be next to each other. Specifically, Klinic employees, Dr. Vickie Hébert (Vice President) and President Taro Abarbanel, took advantage of the time at City Council devoted to citizen interventions to explain the potential future impacts of this construction on their practices, the quality of care offered by the clinic and the confidentiality of clients, as well as mentioning their desire to be involved in the construction discussions. Klinic also offers specialised care for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to a diverse clientele (veterans, police officers, first responders, paramedics, etc.) for whom noisy construction activities such as demolition, blasting and heavy machinery would potentially pose a challenge to care.

During their interventions, Klinic and its employees mentioned that they were not against a housing project but that the proportions of the project were detrimental to the services and the smooth running of the clinic's activities. Klinic wanted to have the opportunity to work together with the developer to find a satisfactory solution. 

Local residents also spoke out against the project with a petition sent directly to the City, as raised by Hull-Wright District Councillor Steve Moran, who was in favour of a pause in the project at the April 12 Council meeting.

Council's dilemma was based on a specific opposition: the housing crisis and the crisis in psychological care. These two issues were put forward in a closed vote by City Council, which voted 9-10 against the postponement of the issue and 10-9 in favour of the 216 Montcalm Street project (accepting the proposed variances to the zoning bylaw).

Following the vote, the Bulletin spoke with Dr. Vickie Hébert and Klinic President Taro Abarbanel, both of whom stated that, despite the vote against collaboration between Klinic and those involved in the construction of the 216 Montcalm project, the clinic's priority is and will always be its clients, their well-being and their privacy. Klinic and its employees are now anticipating the impacts of the project on their services and mention that they will do everything in their power to maintain a space favourable to psychotherapy, psychology and the mental health of Gatineau residents.

Photo caption: The Klinic de psychologie, at 53 Crémazie Street (top), and the site at 216 Montcalm Street (bottom). Photo: Sonia Roy