Quebec’s construction is challenging Gatineau’s new environmental building standards in court.

The city’s new bylaws, which were approved and came into effect in late January, mean companies would need to install green roofs — either a garden or other greenery — on top of any building larger than 2,000 square metres.

New multi-residential buildings will have to include charging stations for electric vehicles and ensure parking areas are at least 40 per cent greenery.  

Sylvain Bertrand from the Outaouais chapter of the Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ) said the new rules add costs and will only push developers to other communities such as Ottawa, Cantley, Thurso or Val-des-Monts.  

“Gatineau is in competition with those municipalities,” said Bertrand, who is also president of BBL Construction. 

This week the association announced it had filed for an appeal and a stay of proceedings with Quebec’s superior court.

“What we’re asking is to suspend those regulations because of the impact it has on some of our projects and our clients,” he said. 

While Bertrand said the ACQ isn’t against green developments, he hopes to sit down with the city to discuss modifying the rules.

He would like to see a greater flexibility for how developers can spend their money to make their buildings greener.

The president of the ACQ’s Outaouais chapter Shawn Côté said if the city postpones the adoption of the bylaws and works with the association to modify the new rules, the organization would withdraw its appeal.

While there isn’t a formal transition period, the city had indicated it’s willing to be flexible in its early weeks.

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