Château Dubuc, a former inn located in Chandler which was the subject of a mobilization to ensure its heritage preservation, was swept away by the waves on Saturday, when the storm Fiona was wreaking havoc in the Maritimes and eastern Quebec.
Posted at 3:55 p.m.
Videos posted on social networks indeed show the sad scene: the strong waves got the better of the emblematic building, which collapsed under the weight of the large quantity of water.
In May, the organization Patrimoine Gaspésie launched a “cry of despair”, asking the Legault government to save Château Dubuc, with a relocation or public investment plan. Former mayor Louisette Langlois had also made it a hobbyhorse. The place had been empty for a few months already, because its owner had feared the worst since last year, after the protective wall collapsed.
More recently, on September 6, members of the Parti Québécois also asked for the protection of this well-known institution in the region, during an election announcement held in Gaspésie. Patrimoine Gaspésie had also asked Bonaventure candidates to commit to saving the building at the beginning of the month.
During the visit, the PQ pledged to create a Quebec Regional Infrastructure Plan totaling $70 billion, “a gain of $1.1 billion per year that will make it possible to catch up on the backlog in regional investments,” it was argued.
“Several projects have been on hold for long enough, even far too long; I’m thinking of Route 132, which we have to do repeatedly, of Château Dubuc, which threatens to be washed away by the sea, and, of course, of the train to Gaspé, which we’ve been waiting for for years. All these delays of course have consequences on the daily lives of citizens, in addition to fueling cynicism, ”denounced the PQ candidate in Gaspé Méganne Perry Mélançon, who is also an outgoing MP for the riding.
On his Twitter account on Saturday, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon expressed regret at this outcome. “We were there just a few days ago. How sad,” he said, relaying the video of the collapse of Château Dubuc. “Part of Chandler’s story went overboard this afternoon,” a netizen also lamented.
” I am speechless. How sad. We are collectively responsible for the loss of this jewel of our Gaspé, Saguenéenne and national history. When will we stop running towards the wall? asked the outgoing PQ MP for Jonquière, Sylvain Gaudreault.
Built in 1916 by entrepreneur Julien-Édouard-Alfred Dubuc, Château Dubuc “is undoubtedly one of the first buildings built in Quebec in the true spirit of Prairie style architecture”, can we read on the site of the provincial Ministry of Culture and Communications.
With Fanny Lévesque, The Press