A Moratorium to pause Real Estate Development in Gatineau?

Melissa Gélinas

During the study of the 2025 budget, the City of Gatineau considered a moratorium on real estate development for residential and commercial construction. The regulation, however, was not unanimous, given the current situation of the housing crisis.

The moratorium was proposed, given the inability of wastewater infrastructure to cope with rapid growth in the territory. Therefore, according to a provisional regulation, all new residential and commercial constructions may be prohibited for a period of two years throughout the territory of the city.

According to Nicolas Brisson, Director General of the APCHQ (Quebec Association of Professional Builders), in 2013, there was a proposal for a budget of $300 million to resolve the problem of overflows by 2050. However, for several years, only $2 million per year has been disbursed to help with the situation. A significant investment should be made to rectify this issue, which continues to persist.

According to Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, this would be a challenge that would be linked directly to municipal taxation. Billions would have to be spent to resolve the situation.

No concrete decision has yet been made by the City of Gatineau. However, an assessment of the situation must be carried out.