Ward 4 Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac said she is a great proponent of garden suites, temporary housing accommodations built in the backyards of homes with larger lot sizes. Five were approved at a city planning committee meeting Aug. 10.
When Dutrisac was young, she had her grandfather, Wilfred Vaillancourt, living with her family.
She said it was because of that experience, she was inspired her to enter politics as a city cuncillor.
“My mother took care of my paternal grandfather for 18 years in the family home in Chelmsford,” Dutrisac said. “It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am in politics today due to my grandfather's interest in politics — at both national and local levels.”
She said she was pleased so many garden suites were coming to the planning committee.
“These garden suites are an excellent way to care for our seniors,” she said. “I commend all who are doing this. We do not have enough housing for our seniors.”
The Swiewek family of Martin Road in Blezard Valley was one of the five families who had applications approved.
Their application was for a garden suite for their parents Peter and Denise. Cory and Jocelyne Swiewek said they were pleased their application for a garden suite was approved for a ten year period.
“We decided last year,” Cory said. “My dad retired from Vale after 35 years service with the company.”
Peter, 57, said the expense and maintenance of their existing house was becoming too much of a burden.
“My wife is close to retiring, Peter said. “This way she can retire sooner than expected from her bookkeeping business.”
Cory said having the parents around would be great.
“I have two little ones-Nolan three years of age and Taia four years of age. It would be good for the children.”
Peter said he and his wife would be able to see the grandchildren all the time, though they did have plans to do some travelling in the area.
Ward 3 Coun Claude Berthiaume said he supported garden suites because they were a way of reducing the demand on the health care system for seniors. The longer seniors could be in a residential setting, the more beds would be freed up at the regional hospital site and long term care facilities.
