COVID-19 – Gatineau announces three new measures to support organizations and businesses
Gatineau, May 12, 2020. – Ville de Gatineau is announcing three new measures to support organizations and businesses during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Gatineau is reducing by 75% the monthly rent of some of its external tenants to alleviate the financial pressure they will be facing over the short term. In addition, it is deferring the deadline for business licence payments and extending building permits.
These new measures are conditional upon approval by the Municipal Council at its meeting this evening.
Quick facts
Monthly rent reduction
| ● | Gatineau has identified 26 external tenants whose services and activities were deemed non priority by the Government of Quebec. Those tenants suffered income losses or increased expenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| ● | Those 26 organizations and businesses will have their rents for the months of April, May and June 2020 reduced by 75%. |
| ● | For Gatineau, this decision represents a financial loss estimated at close to $70,000 before taxes. |
Business licence payment deferral
| ● | Gatineau is deferring to August 31, 2020 the deadline for business licence payments to provide temporary relief to permit holders. |
| ● | Under the municipal by-law, every year Gatineau sends business licence holders a request for validation. Licence holders normally have 30 days to pay the fee. |
| ● | On April 14, 2020, Gatineau counted 3,987 active business licences. |
Building permit extension
| ● | Building permits issued between September 27, 2019 and April 20, 2020 for the construction of residential units are extended by 26 days. As a result, instead of being required to start within 180 days, work must start within 206 days after the permit was issued. |
| ● | All other building permits issued between September 27, 2019 and May 11, 2020 are being extended by an additional 47 days. This means that the work must begin within 227 days after the permit was issued instead of within 180 days. |
| ● | The purpose of these extensions is to avoid penalizing building permit holders whose projects were delayed as a result of the suspension of construction. |
Quote
“Gatineau's financial situation is sound, and it is well positioned for this type of situation. However, there is no denying that there will be significant expenses and a shortfall to make up after the crisis. Gatineau is following situation very closely and making the necessary decisions to support its residents, businesses and organizations. The idea is to give everyone a helping hand,” indicated Executive Committee Chair Cédric Tessier.
Associated links
Business License (in French only)
Building permit (in French only)
