Avignon – Gaspésie: the MRC victim of its popularity
Coming to live in the Baie-des-Chaleurs is, for some, a barely veiled wish. In recent years, the MRC Avignon has set up a program that promotes the region. And he is successful.
“What we have seen recently with migration data, net migration, is that it is very positive. People want to come and settle in the territory. says the prefect of the MRC d’Avignon, Mathieu Lapointe.
On the other hand, the pandemic years accelerated the desired effect of the program. Each year, there is a positive migratory balance… Except that there is a lack of infrastructure, in particular housing and daycare places, to accommodate all these beautiful people. So, without stopping things completely, we will put the soft pedal on the investments made in the promotional campaign…
“We hadn’t expected, everywhere in the territory of Avignon, as in the Gaspésie, to have such a big impact… to have such a big challenge in terms of housing. adds Mr. Lapointe.
Residents of Baie-des-Chaleurs deplore the situation. They are well aware that in the long term, the vitality of the region will be affected if its population is not renewed.
” It’s sad. Because there is a shortage of manpower everywhere. Everyone is looking for people to work, there’s no place to house them… There’s no place for CPEs. It’s really sad for Gaspésie. “Summarizes this lady, shrugging her shoulders.
“Housing is rare. “, continues this woman.
“We are really in short supply. “, eyebrows it, entering his car.
The problem on the ground is recurrent in the region. But politicians intend to find solutions.
“The county’s priority issue here is housing… in Eastern Quebec. It is named by the majority of the deputies: the problem of the housing crisis. I work with the Minister of Housing so that the projects are carried out in the East. promises Maïté Blanchette-Vézina, the minister responsible for the region.
Since the program was set up, there have been just under a hundred newcomers to the MRC. The future could see numbers multiply. But it will be necessary to ensure that the development is tied to the ideas put in place to attract new Gaspesians.