The Canadian government announced today, Thursday, that it will transfer the Asticou Center to the Government of Quebec and the National Capital Commission for the new hospital.

It is hoped that the new hospital in Gatineau, QC, a federal government complex located northwest of the city center, which includes 600 beds, will open by 2034, which is after the original target of 2032.

Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said at a press conference on Thursday morning: “Today marks the beginning of an important journey that will lead to the construction of a much-needed new hospital.”

The Coalition for the Future of Quebec promised to establish a new hospital in western Quebec during its successful election campaign in 2018.

The province wanted to build on Boulevard de la Technologie at the northern edge of the city, then transformed it in 2022 into an industrial area in the Hull sector of the city.

The Asticou center is located at 241 Avenue. Cité des Jeunes was on the list of properties that the federal government was considering selling or transferring ownership.

The Ottawa area is also facing a staff shortage, leading to strain on its healthcare system.

Thursday's announcement also included a large medical clinic in downtown Gatineau. This facility will include a vaccination center and a laboratory, and is expected to open in 2026.

Two years ago, the province canceled plans to build the hospital on the outskirts of Gatineau after significant public opposition. The Asticou site is closer to the city center.

Quebec's Health Minister Christian Dubé told reporters on Thursday: “We conducted a very comprehensive re-evaluation of all available sites.”

He said the federal government was cooperative in providing the new site, adding, “I think we’re very happy with this today because it didn’t take years. It took months.”