Anticosti Island hopes to be inducted into the distinguished ranks of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on behalf of its Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However, neither the community of L’Île-d’Anticosti nor other creatures of the state of Québec see fit to preserve one of its oldest buildings. The island’s former prison, built in 1911-1912 under the aegis of wealthy French industrialist Henri Menier, is subject to a demolition permit after escaping the web of an inventory meant to protect it.
“If there is a demolition permit,” says Le Devoir Luc Noël, the prefect of the MRC de Minganie, to which the municipality of L’Île-d’Anticosti belongs, “it is because it has been approved by the Department of Wildlife, which owns the building , in agreement with the Ministry of Culture. What can I tell you? If it is said that the government does not want to protect itself, which should be, what can I do? Standing in front of the tractor? »
Under the new heritage law passed by Quebec in 2021, MRCs are required to take inventories to better protect buildings built before 1940. “We were told the building dates from 1952. Why were we told this? I don’t know,” the prefect explained to Le Devoir. “The building is owned by the Department of Wildlife. Is that why we weren’t informed? That’s where it catches our attention. »
It’s still too late, said the prefect. “The two ministries concerned have already approved the demolition. And to the community [de L’Île-d’Anticosti], it’s not a fight she wants to fight. And the MRC no longer, he says. “I will choose my battles for the island. And I won’t do that! »
The Quebec Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks replied to the newspaper Le Nord-Côtier that it did intend to demolish the building “for health and safety reasons”. The Mayor of Île-d’Anticosti, Hélène Boulanger, confirms to Le Devoir that she has received this request. A demolition permit has been granted.
The Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications, meanwhile, did not respond to repeated questions sent to it by Le Devoir on the subject.
A rejected backup project
“We were interested in buying and restoring this building,” explains Yvan Méthot.
Mr. Méthot was born on the island and is back there after a career as a firefighter in Montreal. He and one of his friends, Fernand Gendron, have already repaired other houses in the area. “We were rejected by the MRC and the community. We were told that we would tear down the old prison even if we wanted to save it and committed to it. »
For him it is unthinkable that the community would pay for the demolition of one of the oldest buildings on the island when local people are willing to save it. “That doesn’t make any bloody sense!” »
MM. Méthot and Gendron want to make this building a place to host cooks during the summer. “There are hardly any services on the island, there is a lack of everything. More and more people are visiting the island and we have nothing to offer them. We think we could have different chefs who would take turns. People who would offer their services to visitors and the population and accommodate them on site. »
The prefect of the MRC does not see things in a good light. “What these people don’t understand is that even if they saved them [la prison], they could not use it to make lodging or a bed and breakfast. This building should be for public use. »
Does this mean that the state he represents prefers to demolish such a building rather than adjust the regulations in order to be able to save it? “What can I tell you? It is like it is. »
Stunned by the authorities’ response, Yvan Méthot lodged a complaint with the Quebec Ombudsman’s Office. “I have my contractor’s license,” says Mr. Méthot. I restored houses! They say the building is rotten… I see it well, I can see that by swapping parts it can be restored to its original condition! We will do it. It’s not a huge building. Anyway, I think it’s a sin to tear it down. The building dates from the time of Henri Menier. »
In 1895, this wealthy chocolate baron bought the entire island for $125,000. In 1953, the Consolidated Pulp & Paper Company, new owner of the territory, set fire to Menier’s huge wooden house designed by the architect Stephen Sauvestre, no longer managing it. A number of historic buildings have been relocated and preserved, including this building, which was used by the island’s first firefighters and police officers.
At what price ?
According to the prefect of the MRC, the necessary works are estimated at more than 700,000 US dollars. “Everything inside was changed when the city used it as a museum. »
In the fall of 2021, then-community mayor John Pineault advised Le Nord-Côtier newspaper that saving the old prison would require millions of dollars. “I understand people are attached to heritage, but it’s a building that can’t be saved unless you invest millions of dollars. »
Since then, Mayor John Pineault has given way to Hélène Boulanger after admitting her guilt of five ethical lapses before the Commission Municipale du Quebec. In Le Devoir, Mayor Boulanger confirms this “according to a study [qu’elle n’a] not seen, would cost at least $600,000 to restore.”
Why not give the building to people who say they can restore it for a lot less – and at their own expense? “These people would like to do some kind of restaurant. The historical value would no longer be there! You cannot alter the listed building like this. So the municipality prefers to do without a building? “Heritage is all well and good, but don’t ask me to have the same feelings about this building as people say, ‘My uncle worked there.’ »
The city government does not support people who want to remodel this building, she said. “It’s not up to us to take the steps to do that. The ministry submitted the demolition application. He is the owner. »
In L’Assomption, near Montreal, Fernand Gendron and Yvan Méthot are responsible for the restoration of an imposing historic residence. Even if the materials on Anticosti Island are expensive, they do not believe the restoration costs quoted by the local authorities to be credible. Especially since they do not mention any demolition costs. “We want to try to restore the building. And they prefer to destroy it right away! Do you understand some of this logic? »
Mr Gendron contacted the constituency office of François Legault, MNA for L’Assomption. “After researching it, a political attaché confirmed to me that the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks did in fact own the building. And I was told there was nothing they could do. »
A recognized building
According to an inventory by the Ministry of Culture from 1974, the former Anticosti prison was already listed as a historical monument because of its importance. It was found that, despite some adjustments, it had largely retained its original qualities. The ministry said the building dates from 1911 or 1912.
The same story with Luc Jobin, considered an important historian of Anticosti Island. It was wealthy French industrialist Henri Menier who built this building, he says. Fire-fighting equipment was stored there, as well as “furs and furs” in winter […] the equipment needed by the trappers working for Menier”. Four cells were set up there. The building later served as an office for conservation officers before being converted into a small local museum.
“The old prison is one of the oldest remains on the island. But no one in government seems to care,” Fernand Gendron regrets. The demolition permit was issued last month. The MRC has a copy, the prefect confirms. “He’s good for three months. So you have about two months left for the demolition. »