Citizens of “Tent City” criticize Gatineau for insufficient communication

Taylor Clark

Despite the promise of better communication, Alexandre Gallant, the president of the Collectif régional de lutte à l’itinérance en Outaouais, said those experiencing homelessness have been left in the dark as Gatineau worked behind the scenes to relocate those seeking shelter in the parking lot adjacent to the Robert-Guertin Centre.

Hundreds of citizens have been left in limbo as the City prepares to demolish the former home to the Gatineau Olympiques due to the building’s significant deterioration. The City assured it would work alongside the residents who make up what was known locally as “Tent City.”

But these promises of partnership seem to have begun to crumble as the president of the Collectif régional de lutte à l’itinérance en Outaouais addressed the many difficulties in trying to get “answers to relatively simple questions.”

“Emails went unheeded. Meetings organized, canceled, organized, canceled, organized, canceled have followed one another over the last month,” Gallant told council during the question period on June 11.

Gallant’s criticisms followed the Summit on Homelessness at the Maison du citoyen in April where attendees were promised to be kept in the loop.

“We talked about how we were going to work together. We are going to be very good partners. Communication will be fluid,” said Gallant. “And honestly, since then, we’ve been wondering where these discussions went.”

This was not the first time Gallant used the question period to get answers from council. Last month, he pleaded for answers about relocating hundreds of people after the demolition was pushed back, stating it was not just a construction project on the line, but peoples’ lives.

“When you answered our questions, you told us all about your desire to communicate better. So, what are your commitments to ensure this better communication?”

Hull-Wright district councillor Steve Moran said council must not only insist on communication, but also maintain a relationship of respect between partners.

“Once again, I say it often, I think that the City is learning to work on a file that was not its own not so long ago, but because of a crisis on our territory, which affects our citizens, we need to learn to do better,” he stated.

In the spirit of doing better, the council adopted a resolution to appoint an integrated housing and homelessness strategy project director for two years.

“The City must respond with leadership, with efficiency and I think that this responds to the will of the entire municipal council and also to all Gatineau residents,” said Moran.

Photo caption: Collectif régional de lutte à l’itinérance en Outaouais president Alexandre Gallant pleads for Gatineau’s promised partnership in relocating those who seek shelter in the parking lot adjacent to the Robert-Guertin Centre.

Photo credit: Taylor Clark