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Three months after a landslide split L’Ascension in two, residents remain trapped in bureaucratic limbo as the Quebec government delays approvals for repairs, leaving the village’s 900 residents navigating a 60-minute detour and facing $350,000 in potential winter snow removal costs.
Residents of L’Ascension, a village of 900 people in Quebec’s Hautes-Laurentides region, continue to grapple with the aftermath of a catastrophic landslide that struck the town’s main street on August 3. Nearly three months later, the community remains divided by a 13-meter-deep gouge in the earth, with officials and residents alike frustrated by stalled government approvals that delay reconstruction efforts.
Bureaucratic Delays and Community Frustration
Jacques Allard described the situation as “exhausting,” noting that the village has been waiting for federal and provincial permits since the disaster. Pêches et Océans Canada delayed approvals for weeks due to concerns about fish in the river running through the crater, while the Quebec Ministry of Security Intérieure has yet to finalize its review. We were ready to start work the week after the landslide, Allard said, citing the municipality’s engineering firm’s assessment. But the bureaucracy is holding us back.
Trois mois après un glissement de terrain à L’Ascension, le feu vert de Québec se fait attendrehttps://t.co/9Kkq9grmIh
The delay has forced nearly 30% of residents to take a 60-minute detour to cross the village, with some commuting for 50 minutes daily to reach work. Marie-Josée Lévesque, a local resident, described the strain: I used to drive 5 minutes to the municipal garage, but now it takes 50. For an 8-hour workday, I’m gone 12 hours. Emergency services also face challenges, relying on the neighboring town of Rivière-Rouge for rapid response.
A Growing Chasm and Financial Risks
The hole, which has widened by about a foot per month, risks worsening with the approaching winter. Allard warned that if repairs aren’t prioritized, the village could face an additional $350,000 in snow removal costs. The erosion is accelerating, he said.
We’re responsible for safety, but we’re constantly asking for permission from Pierre-Jean-Jacques, he said, referencing the provincial government. “Let us act.”
Protest and Calls for Reform
To pressure authorities, L’Ascension will hold a demonstration on October 24, at 11 a.m. on Main Street. The event, organized by the municipality, aims to highlight the urgency of the situation and push for faster approvals.
With the village’s lifeline still fractured and winter looming, the community’s patience is wearing thin.
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