Ducharme in favour

The debated sixth link joins the list of hot topics during Gatineau’s by-election

Taylor Clark

Independent candidate Yves Ducharme shared his support in the construction of a sixth link between Gatineau and Ottawa which has been opposed by past mayors on both sides of the river.

“Federal MP for Gatineau Steven MacKinnon has been a leader on the issue since his election in 2015,” Ducharme wrote in a press release on May 13. “He can count on my unwavering support to move the issue forward, especially when the time comes to negotiate with the mayor of Ottawa.” While former Gatineau mayor France Bélisle has advocated for the link, the project has been opposed by former mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin and his counterpart Jim Watson, as well as Ottawa’s current mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

“One of Mr. MacKinnon's main qualities was his tenacity. First, to convince his caucus colleagues of the need for a bridge. Then, he received opposition from the former head of Action Gatineau who boasted of waging war on motorists,” wrote Ducharme.

With the last bridge connecting the two banks dating back more than half a century, Ducharme argued it was high time to move the project forward.  “Since that time, the population has almost tripled. Demographic studies show that the population will increase by more than 40% by 2040.”

Of the three corridors under study, the independent candidate favoured Kettle Island, stating the construction would facilitate a “significant ecological impact.”

“By preventing truckers and motorists from having to detour via downtown Ottawa to head east, we reduce travel and, therefore, pollution. STO buses would have a direct link with the Blair O-Train station.”

In closing, Ducharme challenged the head of Action Gatineau, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, to support the bridge in the east and back MacKinnon in the file.

In a press conference held on the same day, Marquis-Bissonnette opposed the addition, stating a sixth link would ensure more cars on the road.

“This is the principle of induced traffic,” she said. “It’s pretty obvious. The more roads we add, the more traffic we add.”

Photo caption: Backed by district councillors Mike Duggan and Denis Girouard, independent candidate Yves Ducharme shares his vision for a sixth link between Gatineau and Ottawa.

Photo credit: Screenshot of video posted on Yves Ducharme Facebook