Deschênes Forest protest draws hundreds in defence of watershed

On July 6, hundreds filled the sidewalk along Fraser and Lucerne, holding signs and making noises.  Their goal was to save parts of the Deschênes Forest that were slated for housing developments. Gatineau’s councillors were to make their final decision July 7 on whether or not to sell the property. The protest was, as one of the event organizers Emma Davida-Catmur said, “a last effort to prevent Gatineau’s municipal leaders from making a big mistake.” 

On the same date as the protest, Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin announced via social media that he, along with Deschênes councillor Mike Duggan who attended the event, would propose to preserve the property entirely, noting that his sentiment was justified by the forest's natural wealth and potential archeological potential. 

Aylmer councillor Audrey Bureau also announced on Facebook that she was also in favour of not selling the property.