Maison du Citoyen: A Deteriorating Modern Heritage

The situation regarding the Maison du Citoyen was brought to light during the City of Gatineau's press briefing on September 2. Only 45 years after its construction, the building is in complete disrepair, with restoration costing over $200 million.

Inaugurated in October 1980, the Maison du Citoyen won numerous architectural awards. The former City of Hull also received the 1982 award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators for the most innovative municipal project in the country. Materials such as steel, brick, and granite were used to ensure the building's long-term preservation. However, the vast majority of the building's components, such as the plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems, and brick cladding, will reach the end of their useful life within the next five years.

Several scenarios have been put on the table to find a solution to the problem, whether through renovation, demolition, or complete relocation of the facility. Indeed, the executive committee has been considering the matter since October 2024. "This is a discussion that will need to be held in the coming months, as the scenarios become more precise," said Catherine Craig-St-Louis, municipal councillor for the Carrefour-de-l'Hôpital district.

There is no imminent danger, according to Mario Aubé, municipal councillor for the Masson-Angers district, but the necessary work must still be carried out quickly. "This isn't the first time we've heard that the roof in the Agora is leaking," he said. "We haven't invested enough in our infrastructure in recent years, and that's exactly what we need to do before moving on to other major projects."

For Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, there will be a lot of management to do. "The Maison du Citoyen is part of our modern heritage, and we have our share of responsibility to preserve it," she says. According to her, the municipal team isn't ready to make decisions. There will certainly be urgent decisions to be made regarding certain projects, but none related to the fate of the establishment. "A game plan will be proposed in the 2026 budget that will give direction on how to proceed for the year."