Hydro-Québec to Build Electrical Center on Historic Miséricorde Site, Honoring Past
Hydro-Québec has purchased the site of the former Hôpital de la Miséricorde to build an electrical transformation center. The company aims to honour the site's history while developing the project, which is expected to be completed in the early 2030s. Meanwhile, a local group called 'Les Habitants du 115' advocates for housing and artist studios on the site.
The Hôpital de la Miséricorde, established in 1824, was a significant historical site where tens of thousands of children were born. Many of these children were given up for adoption, a practice that continued until the 1990s. Thousands of adults today are searching for their biological parents who were born or gave birth at the Miséricorde.
Hydro-Québec, aware of its duty of memory, plans to launch an architectural competition that incorporates the history of the former hospital. The company also intends to create a photographic or historical trail on the site while the main project is underway. The electrical installations will occupy only about half of the site, leaving room for a commemorative site.
Artist Serge Marchetta is currently showcasing the history of the Duplessis Orphans and unwed mothers, including those from the Miséricorde, at the Sanaaq center until November 2. His exhibition serves as a reminder of the site's rich history and the need to preserve its memory.
Hydro-Québec's development plans for the former Hôpital de la Miséricorde site aim to balance progress with remembrance. The company's commitment to honouring the site's history, along with the advocacy of local groups like 'Les Habitants du 115', ensures that the memory of the tens of thousands of lives that passed through the Miséricorde will not be forgotten.
