Gatineau mayoral candidate Maude Marquis-Bissonnette proposes safety improvements around schools

Grace Richards

On Thursday, May 23, Action Gatineau’s mayoral candidate and leader, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, attended the launch of the rue-école project at École du Lac-des-Fées. The rue-école project, which was first launched last year, aims to improve children's safety by reducing car traffic and parking congestion around schools during peak hours.

The initiative involves closing a section of Bisson Street to vehicular traffic during school start and end times every Thursday until the end of the school year. The goal is to provide a safer environment for students and encourage active travel methods and free play. The initiative is volunteer-run and costs the public nothing, but is being hindered by regulatory requirements for a paid police presence.

Marquis-Bissonnette revealed two proposals to enhance road safety and promote active transportation for students commuting to and from school. "I want to see initiatives like these implemented throughout Gatineau. Encouraging children to walk or bike to school safely can help establish lifelong habits," she stated.

To ensure pedestrian safety, the mayoral candidate suggests implementing temporary, cost-effective measures until sidewalks or bike paths can be made. She proposes the city use flower boxes, bollards, or concrete blocks to delineate road use. "These transitional measures can be implemented quickly and economically, making travel safer for everyone," she asserted.

The current safety regulations require two police officers during street closures, costing the school $800 per day. Marquis-Bissonnette argues that changing this would facilitate starting similar projects across Gatineau, since the only operational cost is the presence of police officers.

Despite the challenges posed by the restrictive safety regulations, the project has continued thanks to the support of MOBI-O, municipal councillor Steve Moran, and the school's governing board.