Mayor’s Message — October 2026: congratulations to the new MNA for Gatineau, district meetings from October 20, the Fonds vert, and Gatineau Park before the Senate

Let me start by wishing you a happy fall. If you have walked in Gatineau Park or along the river these past few days, you have seen it: Chelsea is dressed in red, orange and gold. It is our most beautiful season, and it goes by fast.

 

At a glance

• Saturday, October 17 — Compost distribution and branch collection, municipal garage, 119 Chemin Scott, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 20 to Tuesday, November 10 — District meetings, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Details below.
• Monday, November 30 — Deadline to submit a project to the Fonds vert.

 

Gatineau: congratulations to David Logue, and four files to take to Québec City

On Monday, October 5, the people of the riding of Gatineau elected David Logue, of the Quebec Liberal Party, to the National Assembly. On behalf of Council, I congratulate him. I also congratulate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who will lead a Parti Québécois minority government.

I also want to thank every candidate. Putting your name on a ballot takes courage. Several took the time to answer Chelsea's questions in writing in September, and their answers remain online. Thank you as well to everyone who went out to vote. It is thanks to you that our democracy stays alive.

As we wrote to every candidate, the Municipality will work with the member elected, without partisanship. In a minority government, every voice in the National Assembly counts. So we will work with our member and with the new government alike: our files need both. Four of them rest entirely with the Québec government:

• The chronic underfunding of the Outaouais. In health, education, transportation and culture, our region receives less than its share. This is not a local impression: it has been documented for years. This file goes beyond Chelsea, and the whole region benefits from speaking with one voice.
• A new French-language elementary school. The Municipality has done its part: the land has been acquired. What is missing is the funding and the green light from the Ministère de l'Éducation, while enrolment keeps growing.
• Provincially owned roads. Old Chelsea Road first among them, and the stretch of Route 105 under the responsibility of the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD).
• Funding for our drinking water plant. Its capacity is the reason for the moratorium now in effect, and a municipality our size cannot carry that investment alone.

None of these files will move without a strong voice in Québec City. We will make sure that our new member, and the new government, hear from us early, and often.

 

Gatineau Park: Chelsea's three requests to the Senate

On Thursday, October 1, I presented Chelsea's position to the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, which is studying Bill S-229 on Gatineau Park. I made three requests:

1. Clear boundaries. That the bill clearly distinguish Gatineau Park from the private properties and the provincial and municipal lands located inside the perimeter described in its Schedule 2. And that a clear mechanism for consulting municipalities be in place before any future change to the park's boundaries that would bring new land within their territory into the park.
2. A permanent seat for municipalities. That the municipalities bordering the park have a permanent mechanism for consultation and representation with the National Capital Commission (NCC).
3. Decisions that account for municipalities. That decisions on land acquisitions, park access and infrastructure take into account their financial, territorial and operational impacts on the municipalities concerned.

Why Chelsea is directly affected. More than 60 per cent of Chelsea's territory, over 70 square kilometres, is NCC land. The park is not simply our neighbour: it is an integral part of our municipality and of our residents' daily lives.

Full details: Gatineau Park: Mayor presents Chelsea's position to the Senate on Bill S-229

 

New assessment roll: the tax rate will be readjusted in the 2027 budget

The MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais has published Chelsea's new property assessment roll for 2027, 2028 and 2029.

Values in the new roll reflect the market as of July 1, 2025. On average, property values in Chelsea went up 17.2 per cent. Vacant land rose faster (27.6 per cent) than single-family homes and cottages (16.7 per cent).

A higher assessment does not automatically mean an equivalent increase in your tax bill. A new roll does not, in itself, change the Municipality's revenue as Council will readjust the tax rate when it adopts the 2027 budget. It changes how the tax burden is shared among property owners. In practical terms, what matters for your bill is how your property's increase compares to the average. If your value rose more than the average, your share may go up. If it rose less, your share may go down.

Assessments are set by the MRC, not by the Municipality. Questions and review requests therefore go to the MRC directly.

Full details: New Triennial Property Assessment Roll for Chelsea.

 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: 70 people came together

On September 30, 70 people, including students from Chelsea Elementary, came together at Chelsea Town Hall for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

It is a day to honour the children who never came home from residential schools, the survivors, their families and their communities.

The gathering was marked by the presence of Florence Cote, an Elder of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and a residential school survivor, and her son, Dustin Cote, a veteran who served in Afghanistan. Both shared their experiences with those present.

Seventy people chose to be there, to listen and to learn. Thank you to each of them, and to those who made this gathering possible. Reconciliation is not done in a day. But it starts with showing up, and with listening.

 

District meetings: a second round from October 20 to November 10

This fall, Council is holding a second round of district meetings. It is your chance to talk with me and with your district councillor.

Each meeting will start with an overview of what we heard in the spring and what has been done since. The summary report of the spring meetings, tabled at Council on September 15, sets out the questions and concerns raised in each district, along with an overall summary: read the summary report.

Then the floor is yours: your questions, the concerns specific to your sector, your priorities. We will also take the opportunity to clarify some municipal processes and give an update on projects underway.

Full details: District meetings: a second round this fall.

 

Demi-marathon Voie Verte: $12,000 for two local organizations

Congratulations to the Demi-marathon Voie Verte team. Its 2026 edition made it possible to give $6,000 each to two local organizations: the Amis de la Voie Verte Chelsea and Maison Libère-Elles.

The Amis de la Voie Verte Chelsea help care for the trail so many of us use every day. Maison Libère-Elles supports women and their children in our region.

Twelve thousand dollars, raised by runners and volunteers on a trail that sits at the heart of our community life. Thank you.

The race is back next year, on Sunday, August 22, 2027. And if you have not been out on the Voie Verte yet this month, go: between Farm Point and the village, it is one of the best places to see the colours.

 

Recreation: 18 activities and more than 1,685 participants in 2026

Since the start of 2026, the Recreation Department has offered 18 activities that reached more than 1,685 participants.

Family activities, workshops, talks, and activities for different age groups: the goal was to give people chances to come together, discover something new, get moving and learn. And simply to have a good time together.

That turnout tells us that recreation plays an important role in the life of our community, and that there is real interest in a varied program that is open to everyone. In a community our size, that is a lot of neighbours meeting neighbours.

Thank you to our Recreation team. Behind every one of those activities is someone who booked the room, set up the chairs, and stayed late to put them away.

 

Fonds vert: submit your project by November 30

The Fonds vert call for projects is open until Monday, November 30. Applications are submitted through PiVOT.

The Fonds vert supports environmental, sustainable development and active transportation initiatives.

• Who can apply: residents, local businesses, non-profit organizations, and public bodies such as schools.
• What kind of project: a study, an awareness campaign, an environmental or active-transportation event, or a structural project.
• How much: up to 75 per cent of eligible expenses for projects of $5,000 or less; up to 50 per cent for projects of $5,001 to $25,000.

What next: Council will make its selection in early 2027.

If you have been out among the colours this month, thinking about how to protect what we have here, this is a good place to start. Have an idea but not sure it qualifies? Talk it over with the Environment team before you apply: 819-827-1124, ext. 240, or environnement@chelsea.ca.

Full details: Fonds vert.

 

Compost and branches: Saturday, October 17 at the municipal garage

On Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the municipal garage at 119 Chemin Scott, the Municipality will give away compost and collect tree branches.

Compost: first come, first served. Bring your own containers and tools.

Branches: check the list of accepted branches before you load the trailer.

 

I will leave you with a simple invitation: get outside. A trail in the park, the Voie Verte, the riverbank. These colours only last a few weeks. Take the time to enjoy them, with family or with neighbours.

Happy fall, everyone.

 

Brian Nolan

Mayor of Chelsea

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This page was last updated on October 7, 2026