Dumping mess returns to North Aylmer

Scrap wood, building materials, and dozens of garbage bags were dumped near the Terry Fox and Baillie Roads intersection in North Aylmer in early March. This is not the first time these isolated lots near the city limits were used by dumpers; garbage bags, materials and old furniture are tossed into the semi-wooded lots here, year-round. Several years ago, authorities found a gigantic dead python dumped here.

“As an outdoorsman and conservationist, it just makes me sick to see this,” commented Bob Valcov, North Aylmer resident. Mr Valcov wonders why these individuals simply don’t bring their garbage to a dump or ecocentre instead of using nature.

Gatineau residents can haul their household garbage, construction materials, and more, to a municipal ecocentre for free now, with only a proof of residency needed.

Gatineau operates two ecocentres, one on Carrière Boulevard in Hull and one at the Aéroparc in Gatineau. The Gatineau ecocentre is opened all year, while Hull’s is open from spring to fall.

Ecocentres in Gatineau, Hull sectors

In 2015, the city had earmarked a site on Pink Road in Aylmer to build a new ecocentre, but this project has not gone ahead, to the frustration of Lucerne councillor Mike Duggan.

“It was an active file, but it appears the administration has shelved that project indefinitely. I’m not happy about this. I will fight to bring back that project. We need an ecocentre in Aylmer. We should have more active planning on the matter,” said Duggan, Environmental committee member.

The Aéroparc Ecocentre is roughly 30 kms away from the Galeries Aylmer. The distance might deter Aylmerites from properly disposing of their garbage. And North Aylmer’s low population might attract dumping from outside the city.

Residents can dump tires, electronics, or recycling surplus at ecocentres. While disposing of materials, residents are asked to sort them and place them in the proper bins. There are no longer any limits.