The latest site for a new Gatineau hospital is a federal complex northwest of the city core.
On Thursday morning, the federal government announced it would be transferring the Asticou Centre to the Quebec government and the National Capital Commission for the new hospital.
It is set to have a 600-bed capacity and the goal is for it to be operational in 2034.
“Today is the start of an important journey that will lead to the construction of a much-needed, brand-new hospital,” said Public Services and Procurement Canada Minister Jean-Yves Duclos at a news conference.
The Coalition Avenir Québec promised western Quebec a new hospital during their successful 2018 campaign.
The province wanted to build on boulevard de la Technologie in the city’s north end, then pivoted in 2022 to a Hull industrial park.
The Asticou Centre at 241 blvd. Cité des Jeunes was on a list of properties the federal government was looking to sell or transfer.
Besides a new hospital, the Outaouais has been dealing with staffing shortages putting a strain on its health-care system.
Thursday’s news release also said a different high-volume medical clinic in downtown Gatineau, including a vaccination centre and lab, would be operational in 2026.