Gatineau, September 15, 2014. – Ville de Gatineau presents its action plan for resuming the archaeological digs confirmed last Wednesday.

"This action plan satisfies the concerns of the group of occupants in Gatineau," indicated Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin.

The following sets out the action plan's main components:

1. Maintain the integrity of the archeological layer whenever reasonable, namely by taking into consideration the site's development constraints.

2. Conduct additional full archaeological digs following standard procedures at the intersection of Saint-Antoine and Jacques-Cartier in order to ensure that no artefact is destroyed when the Saint-Antoine storm sewer is installed. This means that an additional 40 square metres, approximately, remains to be screened.

3. Use appropriate means of communication to manage the additional digs to their full potential.

4. Protect and conserve two trees in order to preserve an archaeological layer that may be present under the roots.

5. Release the final report on the archaeological digs.

6. Hand all of the artefacts discovered at the site over to Quebec's ministère de la Culture et des Communications for safekeeping and appropriate conservation.

7. Develop the archaeological site to its full potential by integrating the theme of the Amerindian presence in the development of the proposed park, in collaboration with the Aboriginal groups.

8. Maintain a respectful dialogue between Gatineau and interested groups in order to facilitate future communications.

The Jacques-Cartier Street shoreline redevelopment project, estimated at $43 million, is being financed by Gatineau and the National Capital Commission. The NCC has confirmed its involvement as follows: $10 million upon signing of the contract for the work, and approximatively $6 million for the transfer of lands along boulevard de la Cité.

For additional information about the Jacques-Cartier Street redevelopment work, visit gatineau.ca (keywords: Jacques-Cartier).