Frustrations grow as the people of “Tent City” are left in limbo

Taylor Clark

Those experiencing homelessness have been left with more questions than answers in the case of the demolition of the Robert Guertin Centre.

In late February, the Comité sur les demandes de démolition approved the deconstruction of the 67-year-old building, with work to begin in mid-May. Gatineau assured it would work with stakeholders and local organizations to accommodate what is known as “Tent City” on another site.

With May quickly approaching, the members of the encampment recently learned the demolition work had been postponed, leaving details around the relocation of hundreds of people up in the air.

“I’m asking you, please, what’s going on? This is not just a construction project that is being pushed back and put on hold. These are lives,” president of the Collectif régional de lutte à l’itinérance en Outaouais Alexandre Gallant stressed to the municipal council during the question period on April 16.

The only information Gallant said the group received was that it would take place in July. “We don’t know when in July. We don’t know where we’re going. The only clear thing is that the trailers of people who have struggled to find a place by themselves, to be independent, their trailers will not be accepted at the next site.”

Mayor Daniel Champagne admitted the City knew the mid-May deadline was going to be a challenge from the start. “Rest assured that the City is working hard with partners to find an alternative solution. Some lands have been identified, and validations of these areas are underway,” said Champagne.

Gatineau’s communications department clarified in an email that the call for tenders for the demolition of the arena would be launched in the coming days. An exact start date was not known until the contract was awarded, but the demolition was expected to begin later in the summer.

“It is important to mention that people experiencing homelessness on the Centre Robert-Guertin site will have reasonable notice before they need to travel. Regarding the organized encampment, occupants will receive details of its closure from Devcore representatives directly,” wrote the department.

While the department did not specifically answer whether trailers would be permitted on the new site or not, it was noted that it was “too early” to pinpoint a site and “what form the encampment will take.” Certain options were still being analyzed for pre-feasibility and discussion remained ongoing with partners.

Photo caption: Hundreds of Gatineau citizens experiencing homelessness are left with little information on where they will be moved in a few months as the demolition of the Robert Guertin Centre gets pushed back.

Photo credit: Bulletin Archive