ALLEYN-ET-CAWOOD – The long-awaited grand re-opening of the Alleyn-et-Cawood library was held November 22. Bigger and better, the library is now equipped with an additional municipal hall, two dedicated work-from-home spaces, VR sets, and pop-up play tents for kids.
“We have all new shelving, flooring, a new ceiling, and a new bathroom: we rethought this whole space. It’s not only for books now, it’s more than that,” Isabelle Cardinal, municipal director general, told the Journal.
Work on the addition began years ago, but the renovations only took six months. The long-term project was made possible by a $29,000 FFR 2 grant from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.
The re-opening comes with a partnership with Réseau Biblio Outaouais, giving readers access to an exclusive selection of books rotating every six months. They have also adopted an inter-library loan program allowing specific books to be ordered from other libraries’ collections. Board games, reading activities and free museum passes are also accessible at the library, and they’re working on developing weekend activities like craft workshops.
“We’re hoping people use our library, whether it’s for taking a book out or using the space to work-from-home; we really want to generate traffic in there,” concluded Cardinal.
Photo – The ribbon is cut at the grand re-opening of the Alleyn-et-Cawood library. (RG)
ALLEYN-ET-CAWOOD – Nearly 400 people mobilized in what the Low Fire Department has called the biggest deployment in recent history, to look for Grace Early who went missing in the woods. Early was found alive, Saturday, November 23, after spending over 36 hours in the elements. A Facebook post from her daughter, Maggie Early-Holmes, sparked the search efforts.
Early, a mother of seven daughters, left home Thursday evening in search of her husband David who was building a new road on their wooded farm property. The family began to worry when she did not return Friday morning.
“It’s like her to go to the neighbours and have a couple of drinks. She doesn’t drive back after that,” Maggie said. “When she didn’t come home, we called around and began the search.”
The Low Fire Department, Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and Maggie spent Friday night looking for Grace. In accordance with procedure at that time, no civilian except Maggie was allowed to join efforts. When the search came to no avail, Maggie and her father decided to call for help online.
“We deployed a crew right away to assist with the search,” explained Low Deputy Fire Chief, Ghyslain Robert. “As the day progressed, we sent out more manpower and remained in search mode until about 11:30 Friday night when the SQ asked us to stop searching when the scent dog got there.” When he returned in the morning, Robert said he was met with a search crowd he hasn’t seen in the Pontiac in over 20 years.
SQ officers, canine units, helicopters, drones, fire departments from Otter Lake, Shawville and Bryson, Denholm, Kazabazua, the City of Ottawa Police and off-duty RCMP officers all came to the rescue. Some volunteers and family members drove over eight hours to search.
Grace got stuck driving down the unfinished road in her pickup truck, which was only accessible by ATV, unbeknownst to her. “She couldn’t get out, so she decided to walk back to the house, but it was dark … [and she got lost],” explained Maggie.
Grace decided to sit and wait for help, convinced her family would come to her rescue. Her gut feeling was spot on. “We all had the same feeling that she wasn’t dead, just missing and waiting for us to find her,” said Maggie.
After she was found, the Outaouais Search and Rescue Team carried Grace out of the bush with the help of her grandsons and into an ambulance. She was admitted to the Shawville Hospital where she was treated for pneumonia, a cough and dehydration. She was discharged on November 27 and is now recovering at home.
“The screaming, yelling, cheering and applause from the crowd when they learned she was found was like a shock wave. You could feel it,” said Maggie.
The Early family has expressed their immense gratitude to everyone who participated in the search or offered help in other ways.
“Telling my mom the little snippets from what I remember, she breaks down and cries again and again. The poor woman is dehydrated just from crying!” concluded Maggie.
Photo – Close to 400 community members gathered to search for Grace Early, Saturday, November 23. (Melanie Irwin)
An operation being conducted by Sûreté du Québec’s Internet Child Sexual Exploitation Investigation Team is cracking down on sexual crimes targeting children online. The task force, made up of members of the Gatineau, Montreal, Québec, Laval and Longueil police departments, carried out two searches in the first weeks of November leading to two men’s arrests in Gatineau.
The first search took place on the morning of November 5, on d’Orléans Street located in the Lac-Beauchamp sector. An unnamed 43-year-old man from Gatineau in possession of child pornography was arrested and transported to the police station where he was met by investigators and later released by summons. A police-issued press release dated November 8 details that in addition to the charges of child pornography, a charge of obstruction of police work was submitted to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.
The second search was carried out just two days later, on November 7, on Madore Street in the city’s Bellevue district. Pierre Bontemps, 62, from Gatineau was arrested and transported to the police station. He appeared before the Court of Quebec on the same day to face a charge for possession of child pornography and another for having accessed child pornography.
The Gatineau police expressed its commitment to continue “its fight against the sexual exploitation of children on the Internet by participating in the Investigation Team on the Sexual Exploitation of Children on the Internet of the Sûreté du Québec,” in collaboration with Montreal, Québec, Laval and Longueil Police Services.
Police inform investigations for these cases are ongoing and urges anyone who has information about situations of sexual exploitation of young people to make a report at www.cyberaide.ca.
The Gatineau police have released a detailed review of the raid operation that took place in the parking lot of the Robert-Guertin Centre on November 7. The police operation, which began at 6:00 am and was carried out well into the afternoon, had a criminal component, as well as a penal component that involved the expulsion of the occupants from the municipal land.
In what they described as a “large-scale operation,” Gatineau police made 15 arrests, executed five search warrants in trailers and seized more than a dozen firearms, ammunition, a machete, over 1,000 methamphetamine tablets and several other illegal and dangerous items.
The call for the operation came from the City of Gatineau to relocate tents and trailers out of the Robert-Guertin Centre parking lot in order to allow the Village Transition construction site to start quickly.
Recall, November 7’s intervention was divided in two components: criminal and penal. The assessment of the criminal investigation details police seized five trailers as infringing on property. During the operation, a list of items were seized including homemade weapons (metal and billiard balls in stockings and pétanque balls in a pillowcase); two baseball bats; one crossbow with arrow; one lead rifle with a target scope; one rifle and three air guns (firearm replicas). In addition to four scales; two cannabis shedders; more than 10 grams of cannabis; two crack pipes and vape; two passports and various identity documents; several substances and tablets to be identified; many crack rocks and various prescription drug tablets.
Subsequently, police made 15 arrests, two people were released without charge, two more were released on the scene and await charges by summons and eleven people remained detained to appear in the Court of Quebec. Those arrested face various charges including possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, simple possession, breakage of condition, threats, assault on agent, obstacle to the work of police officers, and possession of firearms ammunition. However, police have said further arrests could be made and additional charges could be laid as the investigation is ongoing.
The penal portion of the investigation, which focused on relocating occupants, targeted 13 problematic trailers. Despite “all the efforts of consultation and mediation” made by police, the press release details “the occupants of 13 trailers refused to cooperate and move their trailers.” They were all presented with a written eviction notice by a representative of the City of Gatineau, alongside a verbal notice via loudspeaker twice. Only one person left of their own will. Police detail the notice was given three times and each time occupants refused to cooperate. Those who refused to leave were escorted outside the perimeter to allow for the Public Works Department of the City of Gatineau to begin cleaning the perimeter. By the end of the day, the trailers were towed to the municipal pound and alternative accommodation was offered to occupants of eight of the 13 trailers, while community partners recovered their personal belongings.
The site was later secured by the Public Works Department to prevent other people from settling in the trailers. The Animal Control Section took part in the police operation to take care of the pets that were in the 13 trailers.
The major operation wouldn’t have been possible without the deployment of more than 70 police officers and the participation of several partners, including the SPVG intervention group, the Sûreté du Québec tactical intervention group, investigators and intelligence officers of the Criminal Investigations Division, the Crisis Intervention Unit team of the SPVG and the CISSS of Outaouais, specialized police officers who are part of the SPVG’s Order Maintenance and Restoration Unit, the Canine Unit, the Forensic Identity Service, the Communications Officers, as well as the SPVG Communications Section, the Prosecutors of the Legal Affairs Department of the City of Gatineau, and the Prosecutors of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.
Chief Inspector Mathieu Guilbault of the Criminal Investigations Division says the increasing violence in the city hasn’t gone unnoticed, stating the police is actively listening and responding to the population’s concerns.
“We know that violent events in recent weeks have not been reported to the Police Service, that victims are afraid to report situations that worry them or to ask for help, and that witnesses have fears about their safety. We understand that it is difficult for these people to trust the authorities. However, we want to tell them that our employees are ready to listen to them, welcome them and accompany them through the complaint process if they wish to move forward. They will be taken seriously without judgement. We hope that the operations of recent weeks have proven to them that the Police Service will not tolerate any violent offences.”
The investigations at the site of the Robert-Guertin Centre are to continue. Police urge anyone who has information about potentially criminal events that have occurred to contact them via their info line at 819-243-4636, extension 5.
Photo:Chief Inspector Mathieu Guilbault of the Criminal Investigations Division (right) and Stéphane Raymond, Deputy Director of Police Operations and commander of the operation conducted on November 7 (left) answer questions related to the raid that took place in the Robert-Guertin parking lot. (DD) Photo: Gatineau Police
On November 8, Gatineau police and the Fraternity of police officers of Gatineau (FPPG) announced the return of their ‘Cœur pour Noël’ initiative for an eighth consecutive year. Responsible for placing gifts under hundreds of children’s Christmas trees each year, the initiative catered to 1,199 children in 2023 and a total of 5,739 children over the last seven editions.
As done in previous years, the two organizations have called on the generosity of the population of Gatineau, inviting them to participate in large numbers.
Individuals wishing to participate can do so by going to police.gatineau.ca and completing the online registration form. Shortly after, they’ll receive an email detailing the first name, age, gender and the language of the child or children to be spoiled. Participants will purchase a gift valued at $25 to $30, as well as a gift bag for each child assigned to them ahead of the December 7 deadline to deposit gifts.
Before the first week of December, the unwrapped gift(s) and separate gift bags will have to be deposited at the Promenades Gatineau. This year, it will also be possible for participants to deposit gifts at the Galeries Aylmer or the Buckingham Police Station. A full schedule of drop-off locations and times can be found below.
On Christmas Day, the FPPG will distribute all the gifts, their way “to bring joy to the holiday season for many children in need.”
DROP OFF LOCATIONS AND TIMES
PROMENADES GATINEAU (1100, Maloney West Boulevard, Entrance 7, near restaurant area)
TUESDAYS: November 19, 26 and December 3 – between 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm
THURSDAYS: November 21, 28 and December 5 – between 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm
SATURDAYS: November 23 and December 7 – between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
GALERIES AYLMER (181, Principale Street, Entrance 1)
CAMPBELL’S BAY – A lawsuit against the Municipality of Litchfield for moral, financial and punitive damages, filed by Colleen, Michael and Mary Ellen McGuire, stemming back to a dispute over land ownership, was dismissed by a judge last week.
The case started in 2007 when a re-survey of the property in question determined the lot belonged to the Municipality instead of the father of the plantiffs, Aloysius McGuire. In 2015 the family learned of an “intent to sell or grant servitude” to the lot which started the process of proving their ownership. In August 2021, a reconsideration of the 2007 survey report determined the property did belong to Mr. McGuire. However, the plantiffs took until March 2023 to file their claim for damages.
On September 19, their first day sitting in court, the three plaintiffs presented a nearly 300-page file prepared by Mary Ellen. The documents included email correspondence involving municipal Director General Julie Bertrand, Mayor Colleen Larivière, and several property owners adjacent to the disputed lot.
The defense, represented by Director General Julie Bertrand, warned the McGuire’s case might be inadmissible in accordance with Quebec’s municipal act (section 1112.1) due to their failure to file their claim within six months of the “date of harm”, deemed to be August 10, 2021. The plaintiffs disputed the date, claiming the municipality breached its code of ethics, abusing its power well beyond August 10. The judge, Honourable Serge Laurin, who had taken several weeks to consider the submitted material, ultimately decided to dismiss the case, awarding the family no legal costs.
SHAWVILLE – Local members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) began strike action on Friday, November 15 and continued it on Monday, November 18, after a deal had not been reached with Canada Post following a year of negotiations. CUPW’s actions mean that any processing, delivering or handling of mail will come to a halt. Canada Post did announce some exemptions for paycheques, social insurance cheques and other specified cheques, with delivery after November 20.
According to local strikers in front of the Shawville Post Office, they are “invisible but essential workers.” They added there has been no talk from the union of implementing rotating strike action: “Not this time!” expressed their frutration in the lack of movement in the negotiations. One of the main issues, according to the rural delivery strikers in Shawville, is the number of parcels that they are now required to deliver. One striker noted that on an average day he delivers at least 60 and sometimes as many as 100 parcels in a community that has just over 300 houses.
Postal workers are also seeking better wages and benefits after years without increases. “It’s funny how Canada Post considered us an essential service [during the pandemic] but amidst the increased cost of living and with today’s inflation they’re offering us a 3.5 percent wage increase the first year and then 10 percent over 4 years,” stated Marc Pauzé, Outaouais’ president of CUPW’s local 360.
Special mediator appointed On Monday, November 18, a special mediator appointed by the federal government, Peter Simpson, stepped in to guide the renewed negotiations. It is uncertain how smoothly this will go given that Canada Post has stated “the parties remain far apart at the table.” Federal Labour Minister, Steve MacKinnon, has said, “I am not looking at any solution other than negotiation” to end the strike. According to the union, they are, “looking forward to working with the new mediator”.
Delivery of the Pontiac Journal impacted The regular bi-weekly delivery of the Pontiac Journal will be impacted because of the strike. To get the November 20 issue into the hands of as many readers as possible, the Journal team will be increasing the drop-off locations and is looking into doing door-to-door delivery in some towns. Copies can also be picked up at the Journal office in Mansfield and at most municipal offices. The entire paper can be read online free: www.pontiacjournal.com.
Gatineau’s PLASMAVIE donor centre, also known as GLOBULE and La Collecte has become Héma-Québec as of November 4th. The change comes following survey results that reported confusion among the public caused by the use of multiple secondary brand names.
“This change is designed to more efficiently fulfill the needs of the province’s healthcare system by simplifying the donor experience, enhancing the visibility of donor locations and clarifying Héma-Québec’s role,” the blood donation organization expressed in a press release.
The previously mentioned survey also found that, while the Héma-Québec brand is recognized by 84 per cent of Quebecers, two out of three donors in donation centre markets did not connect Héma-Québec with its GLOBULE and PLASMAVIE donation centres. The difficulty for them to associate the different brands to Héma-Québec is obstructing the brand’s visibility, public awareness and engagement.
The mother brand says the confusion has resulted in “numerous supply challenges at a time when Héma-Québec is striving to meet ambitious targets for collecting plasma and other blood products to serve the needs of the Quebec population.”
After 25 years, the brand decided to unify under a single name to broaden its reach. Along with a new name came the announcement of additional services and a new logo reflecting their shift from solely being a blood donation organization.
“Héma-Québec has greatly expanded its operations and is now responsible for a diverse array of biological products of human origin, including blood, plasma, platelets, stem cells, mother’s milk and human tissue. Additionally, it offers specialized laboratory testing services,” read the press release.
The changes to Héma-Québec’s activities are set to roll out gradually over the course of several months with a focus on sound resource management.
Ahead of the Heritage Reception’s 20th edition, the City of Gatineau has launched a call for applications recognizing the Gatinois and Gatinoises committed to the preservation of collective heritage. Until December 1, 2024, residents are invited to throw themselves or any third-party in the hat to receive honourary heritage certificates.
The certificates will be presented during the Heritage Reception to be held in February 2025, honouring any person, organization or company that has marked the community with original initiatives centring on preservation, restoration and/or enhancement.
This year, certificates will also extend to dedicated young people, to highlight the importance of the next generation in the conservation of Gatineau’s heritage. The Relève distinction will be awarded to those aged 18 to 30.
Another addition to the reception’s 20th anniversary will include the certificate of excellence in the preservation and restoration of built heritage. Accompanied by a scholarship of $5,000, the certificate will honour the owners of residential or commercial buildings of heritage interest who have carried out preservation and/or restoration work.
“For twenty years, Gatineau has highlighted the talents and dedication of those who ensure that our heritage is preserved, reflecting our history and our collective identity. With the introduction of the Relève distinction, we also celebrate the essential contribution of youth, who, through their creativity and commitment, ensure the future of this precious heritage,” said Caroline Murray, President of the Local Heritage Council and City Councillor for the District of Deschênes. “I invite every citizen, organization and company to share their passion and their achievements that contribute to radiating our common heritage.”
A selection committee plans to meet in December to review applications and successful applicants will be contacted by email that same month. The date of the Heritage Reception will be revealed shortly after.
For any inquiries, residents can email heritage@gatineau.ca or head directly to the City of Gatineau’s Certificates of heritage page on their website.
MRC PONTIAC – During their October 23 meeting, MRC Pontiac announced the launch of a new round of cultural development funding, a $35,000 initiative to support projects that promote and celebrate the region’s history, heritage and culture. Residents and organizations can pitch potential projects until November 21.
The funding comes as part of a Partnership Initiatives Program rolled out by the province in 2021to promote active cultural participation, highlight the unique identity of the region and position culture at the forefront of economic, social and territorial development.
“We’re looking for short-term, quick turnover, smaller projects [first] to see if we can push a larger variety across the Pontiac and get more activities out there. We really want to demonstrate that more cultural programming can be developed and run [here],” explained Sabrina Ayres, economic development commissioner.
The financial contribution for each project caps at $5,000 or after covering 80% of total eligible expenses; “whichever comes first,” Ayres clarified. Additionally, all projects must take place between January and May 2025.
Eligibility for a cultural project includes areas like ethnicity, French language, arts, music and literature, among others. However, all culinary projects are excluded, as the government has prohibited them.
“It’s the whole embodiment [of culture]. It could be book clubs with adults or reading programs with children that talk about the animation and drawings. You can include agriculture; the whole process of growing the seeds, different methods and how our [way of doing things] has changed historically. All of that is considered cultural,” she said.
Residents interested in submitting a project and those who have questions, need assistance developing their idea, or require help finding volunteers or resources can contact Ayres at s.ayres@mrcpontiac.qc.ca or 819-648-5689 ext. 124 before November 21.
“I’m hoping to see more awareness as to just how vast the concept of infusing culture in programming can be, whether it’s something new they want to bring to the area or something they’re already doing but want to infuse culture into to give it a refresh and potentially make it grow,” she concluded.
OTTAWA – As of November 4, Canadians will be greeted with an ‘Open’ sign at their local post office, despite Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)’s inability to reach an agreement.
Canada Post presented a proposal to its union on September 25 detailing their aim to “protect and enhance what’s important to employees, within the corporation’s financial constraints, while making the changes that are necessary to better serve Canadians and Canadian businesses in today’s demanding parcel delivery market.” Their proposal was promptly met with counteroffers from CUPW on October 7, leading the parties back into negotiations.
On October 25, the union announced a strike mandate following the expiry of a 60-day conciliation period, ahead of a 21-day cooling-off period, which ended on November 2. The two parties who entered negotiations a year ago, in November 2023, have yet to reach common ground. The boiling point was expected to take place on November 4, when either party would be in a position to initiate a labour disruption.
“We deeply value the trust that customers put in us to deliver for their business, and we understand that seasonal planning is done months in advance,” Canada Post said in a press release on October 25. The statement assured customers that the required 72 hours notice would be given in the event of a labour disruption.
An updated statement November 3 read: “The parties remain at the table…. Our goal throughout these negotiations with CUPW has always been to reach negotiated agreements, without any labour disruption.” As such, regular business hours are observed.
Both parties have continued to focus their energies on finding a resolution considering a strike would inevitably trigger a ripple effect.
“A labour disruption would have significant consequences for the businesses we serve and the millions of Canadians who rely on Canada Post, while deepening the company’s already serious financial situation,” the statement continued.
Canada Post was confident they would be able to come to an agreement with its union before the cooling-off period came to an end, but despite this optimism, as of November 4, both parties remain at the table as negotiations continue.
A new $60 tax on the registration of passenger vehicles will come into effect on January 1, 2025, the city announced last week. The Passenger Vehicle Registration Tax (TIV) will apply to all passenger vehicles registered by the citizens of Gatineau. Revenue generated from the tax will be used to support the costs of public transportation in the city.
“The introduction of the TIV is part of the City’s desire to offer a more accessible, efficient and sustainable public transport network, thus responding to the growing mobility needs of the population,” detailed a press release.
Gatineau will be joining several other Quebec municipalities in the adoption of taxes to finance public transport networks. An initiative that, the city says, “reflects a provincial trend to ensure sustainable and accessible mobility.”
The tax, collected by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) when residents are registering their vehicles, will apply to automobiles, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), motorized homes and minivans. Motorcycles, mopeds and all vehicles for institutional, professional or commercial use are exempt from the TIV.
While the tax has yet to come into effect, the City of Gatineau has already announced the amount will increase from $60 to $90 per vehicle as of January 1, 2026.
Gerard Dubreuil, a 16-year-old Hull resident, was spotted in Ottawa around 3 pm last Wednesday, seven months after he was reported missing.
Gatineau Police say Dubreuil was last seen leaving his place of residence on Freeman Road on March 19, and was reported missing shortly after. He has since been spotted on more than one occasion, the latest being on October 30 across the bridge.
Dubreuil is a 4 ft. 11 in. tall white male, weighing 110 pounds. He has black hair, black eyes and was last seen wearing grey cargo pants, matched with a grey vest and grey shoes. Police and his family, who have expressed fear for his health, safety and well-being are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Dubreuil, who’s assumed to be in Ottawa.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gerard Dubreuil is invited to contact the local police at 819-246-0222.
In theme with the Quebec Waste Reduction Week, the City of Gatineau has invited companies to take part in an online consultation offering a toolbox to implement better waste management.
Industries, businesses and institutions will have between November 23 and December 11 to attend a consultation on two draft regulations. The first seeks to enforce composting and recycling while the second intends to prohibit or at the very least, regulate certain single-use plastics within Gatineau companies.
This initiative comes as part of the City’s Residual Materials Management Plan (RMSP) set to be carried out until 2029. The plan was adopted in February 2023 following public consultations that found 87 per cent of respondents were in favour of a municipal regulation governing single-use plastics and another 97 per cent agreeing that the City require companies to recycle and compost.
“As soon as the RMSP 2023-2029 was adopted, Gatineau made a commitment to accompany the population and the industries, businesses and institutions of its territory in the integration of new measures, by informing and guiding them,” said Marc Bureau, president of the Committee on Environment and Climate Change. “Thus, I invite them to take advantage of the tools offered to them free of charge and to participate in large numbers in the online consultation, since their opinion counts.”
The objective of the consultation is to better understand the challenges companies face in terms of waste management in order to determine how the City “should proceed so that the application of future regulations is as harmonious as possible.”
Additionally, posters, showcase stickers and various visuals against single-use plastics are available free of charge to be displayed or shared with customers. They can be ordered at gatineau.ca/plastic and will be delivered by mail within 10 business days.
The ultimate goal of the City’s RSMP is to eventually make Gatineau a zero-waste city that “recycles and recovers 100 per cent of its materials by 2050.”
As a demonstration of the province’s appreciation of water resource management, 42 municipal organizations were recognized by Réseau Environnement for their excellence in water management over the past year. The award ceremony took place in Quebec City on October 22 as part of the 46th edition of the Symposium on Water Management.
“Water is our blue gold in Quebec,” said Mathieu Laneuville, President and CEO of Réseau Environnement. “We are fortunate to be able to count on leaders who are taking action to better manage and protect it, like the 62 municipal organization members of Réseau Environnement’s water excellence programs. Like us, these municipalities strive for excellence for our planet and the health and safety of their communities.”
Réseau Environnement, the largest group of environmental specialists in Quebec, currently runs six water excellence programs whose certification is determined by a ranking from 1 to 3 stars. The organization that brings together specialists from public, private and academic sectors promotes the “best practices and innovation in environmental management and acts as a catalyst for innovative solutions for a green economy.”
This year, the City of Gatineau was awarded a total of three certifications for their work in two programs. The Drinking Water Excellence Program, or Treatment PEXEP-T ensures maximum protection against microbiological contamination. A total of 32 municipal organizations, made up of nearly five million Quebecers, are supplied with drinking water from PEXEP-T member plants. Both the Hull and Buckingham municipalities received 3 stars and a Phase 2 Certification for their efforts within the program. The entirety of Gatineau was awarded another 3 stars and Phase 2 Certification in the Wastewater Excellence Program, or (PEX-StaRRE-SM). This program aims to improve the quality of wastewater and sewage sludge from municipal treatment plants by optimizing operations and keeping a constant check on processes.
In addition to awarding municipalities, Laneuville used the symposium, which gathered 200 industry specialists, as an opportunity to address the underfunding of water services.
“Quebec is facing a $45 billion asset maintenance deficit for its water infrastructures. Nearly one-fifth of the entire network is considered to be in poor or very poor condition,” he said. “With the increasingly frequent and intense impacts of climate change, such as torrential rains and the floods we saw this summer, we don’t have the luxury of giving up and saying there’s nothing we can do about it. That would be to misunderstand the members of Réseau Environnement.”
Laneuville revealed that the association is launching a new project “aimed at finding sustainable solutions to adequately finance the water services” on which the Quebec population, both private and public, rely. The goal, he says, is to guarantee 100 per cent water quality, 100 per cent of the time, “everywhere in the province and for generations to come.’’
Réseau Environnement is set to present key recommendations in the coming months.
MRC Pontiac – Following the adoption of a new Quebec law allowing municipalities with populations under 2,000 to reduce their councils from six to four seats, small towns across the province are now weighing their options. Small municipalities who’ve expressed difficulty in recruiting and retaining councillors will now be allowed to downsize after next year’s election. The rule change request has been “recurrent”, according to the president of the Fédération québécoise des municipalités, Jacques Demers.
Fort-Coulonge is among the municipalities planning to adopt the new rule going into their next election. The village currently has six councillors, who are all very good and bring their own ideas to the table, according to Mayor Christine Francoeur. “But we find we have so many expenses, and I think four councillors will be plenty,” she added, noting the decision isn’t just about money. She believes a smaller team will allow for more fluid conversations, decision-making and action.
“We’ll still be discussing a lot, but there may be less opinions around the table, so we’ll be able to get the work done faster,” she said. Francoeur also believes the decision will result in more candidates. “We might end up with two councillors going head-to-head for one seat; who knows. I think it will result in more competition.”
The village put out a notice of motion followed by a public meeting on October 9. A few residents had questions, but no one opposed the idea. During their next meeting on November 6, the motion will be voted on.
In Rapides-des-Joachims, which has had a council of four members for the past twelve years, Mayor Lucie Rivet Paquette says it all comes down to efficient communication and “everyone knowing what they’re doing.”
“For Rapides, I think four seats is perfect,” she said. “We used to have six, but it was hard finding candidates, so it’s better to have only four.”
Mme Rivet Paquette noted they’ve implemented a new system for councillors to communicate through a group chat. The small number of people in the chat makes conversations easy, eliminating long emails and adopting a more effective means of communication. “We work very hard together. We talk a lot in our group chat, so when we have a meeting, we already know what we have to do and discuss. It’s going very well,” she added, encouraging municipalities to try the model.
She warns that without effective communication and a solid foundation, reducing council seats could be ineffective.
“I recommend it, but sometimes it can be difficult. When you’re only 4, if it’s 2 against 2, the mayor has to make the last decision, for example,” she said. “If you downsize to four councillors and they can’t work accordingly, you can’t reverse the law.” She advises each municipality to consider their workloads, responsibilities, projections and plans for the upcoming year and whether it can be accomplished by four councillors before deciding.
Municipalities wanting to reduce their seats from six to four have until the end of December to pass a resolution to that effect.
UNAM Canada, the Embassy of Mexico and the City of Gatineau have proclaimed November 2, 2024 as “Día de los Muertos,” otherwise known as the Day of the Dead. This celebration, which holds profound significance for Indigenous Mexican communities, is traditionally celebrated in late October or early November, marking the end of maize cultivation cycle — Mexico’s staple food.
“The fusion of pre-Hispanic religious ceremonies and Catholic festivities brings together two worlds: one that honors Indigenous beliefs and another shaped by European influences since the sixteenth century,” UNAM Canada detailed in a press release, adding this celebration “highlights the value of our cultural traditions and promotes inclusivity and understanding among the diverse communities that make up these cities.”
Traditionally, the Day of the Dead “commemorates the temporary return of deceased loved ones to the material world.” Each year, an altar is presented at City Hall as part of the festivities. This year, Quebec-born artist Jean-Paul Riopelle, a significant figure in the art world, will be honoured. The altar is set to open at 5:00 pm on October 30 and will be displayed until November 3.
On the Ontario side, UNAM Canada, the Embassy of Mexico and the Canadian Museum of Nature have partnered to put up a second altar, this time honouring endangered and extinct animal species in the Hatch Salon, on the third floor of the museum, at 240 McLeod St. The altar will be available to the public from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on October 31 and later a part of the museum’s Nature Nocturne evening on November 1.
The two unique altars were designed and mounted by students from the Modern American School (MAS) in Mexico City under the guidance of their Professor Fernando Trigo.
The exhibitions promise to feature a variety of activities and workshops for all, highlighting the importance of the day. UNAM Canada invites Gatineau and Ottawa residents to come in large numbers, noting this celebration “strengthens generational bonds and fosters a sense of belonging within the community.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: Collage of the altar, decorations and activities put up at City Hall for the Day of the Dead in 2023. (DD) Photo: UNAM Canada
As part of the Canadian Islamic History Month, whose national theme is “Health and Healing,” Outaouais’ Islamic Centre (OIC) hosted a free all-day event at the Galeries d’Aylmer on October 12. From 9:00 am to 5:00pm, Gatineau residents were invited to join OIC to learn more about the links between health, healing and Muslim traditions throughout history.
A wide variety of experts in the fields of traditional health and healing were in attendance, such as practitioners of naturopathy, orthotherapy, cupping massage and massage therapy. Together, they informed attendees on the benefits of their respective practices and their effects on the mind and body.
A focal point of the event was to highlight medicinal plants that aren’t commonly used in Western medicine. Connoisseurs of natural remedies broke down the benefits of an array of plants such as nigella, called the “seed of blessings” in Arabic, responsible for alleviating indigestion and loss of appetite, mugwort which stimulates period flow and relives cramps, and chamomile, widely known for its calming benefits, among many others.
Vendor booths offering a variety of products, including essential oils, medicinal plants, and services such a cupping therapy were available throughout the day. The event was also a learning opportunity — a quiz wheel offering gifts related to the theme was installed for those wanting to test their knowledge of natural health and healing practices.
The OIC described the event as an opportunity to “learn more about the contribution of Muslims in the fields of health and healing, presented in a simple and accessible way.”
The rest of their program related to Canadian Islamic History Month can be found on their website at cio-oic.ca.
Outaouais’ Islamic Centre (OIC) has joined forces with the Gatineau Police to offer a series of prevention workshops geared to Hull’s younger population. The first workshop, focused on gang prevention, was held at the Gatineau Mosque located at 4 Lois St. on October 5.
In a highly interactive presentation, Alex Thomassin, a former detective lieutenant in the SPVG’s anti-gang unit, outlined the workshop’s key objectives: raising awareness, prevention, strengthening family and community ties, and providing teens with a contact point within the police.
“History started with street gangs out of California, usually from single communities,” he said, opening his presentation by briefly detailing the origins of streets gangs. “This is no longer the case today and most gangs aren’t just one ethnic community anymore. You can have people from all over the place in the same group. Often, it’s the neighbourhood you live in that will dictate which gang you join, rather than where you’re from.”
However, the newly found inclusivity within gangs comes with a significant increase of recruitment in once safe environments, including schools, Thomassin warns.
“How can we keep our children safe when there are active gangs in our schools,” asked a dad who attended the workshop with his daughter. He says that the Polyvalente Le Carrefour students meet at the shopping centre across the street at lunch, between or after classes, with no supervision, and that this only adds to the problem. “My daughter tells me stories of kids asking her to come smoke.”
This is one of the fraternizing tactics used by young gang recruiters to attract members. Once they get the student to agree to leave school grounds, often not by more than a few feet, the recruiters will establish trust with their targets before giving them a test to gauge their loyalty.
“What we often see is young gang members going to classmates and saying ‘Hey, let me borrow your banking card, I’ll deposit and withdraw $2,500 from your account since I do not have a card of my own and you can have $500 for your trouble,’” Thomassin details. Students who are easily enticed by the idea of making easy money usually fall for the trap. The assailant will make a faulty deposit using their account, leaving the student to pay off the debt once it defaults. “They’ll tell you to wait two weeks and contact the police, but I can tell you right now, that [fraud claim] will not work—we will question how the person got access to your card and your PIN number without your consent or knowledge,” he said, also listing ‘holding bags’ usually containing drugs or firearms as another popular loyalty test.
Young men who are recruited are typically targeted to sell drugs, while young girls are often exploited for profit through prostitution. According to the former anti-gang unit detective, the leading reason why teens join gangs is to feel part of a community. But even a group of friends without a formal title can still be considered a gang if they partake in illegal and reckless activities, he warns. He lists gang signs, assigned matching colours and demarking tattoos as a few symbols that can help spot a gang, though “there is a lot of turnover in these groups.” Young people should also look for a hierarchy within the group, assigned roles and codes of conduct adopted by every member.
Circling back to the concerned father’s question on how students can be kept safe, Thomassin pointed to the resources deployed in schools across Quebec. Educational police officers and school councillors are already on duty in most Gatineau schools, he said. “They are trained and always ready and willing to help.” Youth centres can also be a safe space and outlet for students. In all cases, calling or going to the police station is always an option and workshops such as these are a step in the right direction.
“After we’ve explained all the risks and consequences, the ball is in your court,” he said. “The Gatineau police want young people to be as informed as possible so they can have all the tools necessary to make the most informed decision.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: Outaouais’ Islamic Centre (OIC) and the police are collaborating on a series of prevention workshops for the youth in Gatineau. The first one, centring on gang membership prevention had a turnout of 30 highly engaged parents and students. (DD) Photo: Djeneba Dosso
OUTAOUAIS – Cries for change and better access to care could be heard from the women gathered at the Gatineau City Hall on September 26 during a panel on women’s health in the Outaouais.
The panel, led by experts Dr. Ruth Vander Stelt, Marie-Eve Fournier and Patricia LaRue, touched on the complexities of navigating a healthcare system which, despite its developments, still fails women in more ways than one. The discussion touched on flaws in early medicine, the disparities between care for women and men, reproductive health, and health accessibility issues in the Outaouais and for women living in rural areas.
The main takeaway offered by all three panelists is that healthcare is far from analogous. On the contrary, it should be viewed from an intersectional lens to better meet the unique and complex needs of every patient. In spite of this, “For years, medical tests were only done on men for men,” pointed out Fournier, columnist for La Presse, while for women “almost all symptoms were related to stress or menopause.
“The refusal, or perhaps disinterest, in going the extra mile to perform tests and diagnosis’ on women all those years ago has stalled the way they receive care today”, she added.
Dr. Vander Stelt, a Pontiac-based general practitioner, believes the constant downplaying of early symptoms has led to the normalization of pain among women.
“Women are told: ‘it’s all in your head,’ ‘just go and get some rest,’ constantly,” she said, adding the notion that pain should be ignored is often transferred from mothers, generally of older generations — who received the same message from their practitioners — and passed it on to their daughters.
LaRue, the executive director of Outaouais’ Women’s Clinic, named reduced research, limited access to resources and the inability to identify a multitude of symptoms found in women of all ages as repercussions. LaRue runs a women’s medical clinic offering contraception, sexual health workshops and IUD insertion services.
These basic services that should be accessible to female patients often aren’t advertised because the resources are simply unavailable in rural communities, Dr. Vander Stelt said. Due to a lack of access to care in their communities, women must travel to the city. For women with abusive spouses, trips to the city, even for care, aren’t feasible.
“I’m from the Pontiac and commuting to the city to receive care shouldn’t be the solution or norm,” she said. “Every CLSC should have the right resources.”
Unfortunately, for women in rural areas, obtaining care tailored to their needs is often difficult, primarily due to language barriers.
“Translating barriers are a real issue,” LaRue said. “Children are having to translate their mother’s diagnosis because the doctor is unable to communicate in their language; it’s sad and extremely invasive.” This issue extends to immigrants and members of linguistic minorities.
In the face of this adversity, many women have turned to social support networks.
“Social media, often seen as a space for misinformation, especially in healthcare, has become a safe space for women,” said Dr. Vander Stelt, listing advocacy and awareness, empowerment, breaking taboos and misconceptions and the receipt of diverse perspectives as benefits of support networks through social media.
LaRue said supporting women’s organizations is another way to boost access to efficient and compassionate care. Fournier suggested doing more research tailored to women’s health. She encouraged doctors to be curious about their female patients, although she understands they’re overworked. Lastly, she preached the benefits of spreading information by sharing the names of experts both internally and externally to increase their reach.
So much still needs to be done, Dr. Vander Stelt said at the end of the question session. “It’s unacceptable,” she added, encouraging Outaouais women to continue speaking up, as it will allow for change, hopefully. “You have the power,” she concluded.
Photo – Women gathered for a panel on women’s healthcare in the Outaouais put on by Action Santé Outaouais and the Assemblée des Groupes de Femmes d’Interventions Régionales (AGIR), Sept. 26 in Gatineau. (DD)
The Multicultural Entrepreneur Action Network (RAEM) will once again host their annual Intercultural Entrepreneur Fair at City Hall on October 26. This 12th edition, featuring a wide variety of services, will be an opportunity for Gatineau residents to support inspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
“Every year, the RAEM organizes and holds the Intercultural Entrepreneur Fair to showcase their products and services, and thereby highlight the positive contribution of immigrant entrepreneurship to the economic development of the region and of Quebec as a whole,” reads a statement on their Facebook page.
This year intends to be no different. Eventgoers of all ages can expect a wide selection of products and services, fun activities for the whole family and a gourmet corner full of flavors from the four corners of the globe. Entry is free for all for the duration of the event held from 10 am to 5 pm.
Residents from across Gatineau are invited to come in large numbers and support small start-up businesses.
As noted on RAEM’s Facebook page, “It’s an intercultural celebration not to be missed. Come and discover.”
Let yourself be transported to Amsterdam and The Netherlands through breathtaking images starting on October 20 at Cinéma 9 and then on November 3 at Cinéma Starcité Gatineau.
During an immersive film experience, discover “emblematic windmills, flower-filled fields and countless bicycle paths.” Stroll along “canal-lined streets, criss-cross country roads, cruise through picturesque towns and revel in local gastronomy,” all in the comfort of your local theatre.
Amsterdam et les Pays-Bas, au fil de l’eau is the second film in the new season of Les Aventuriers Voyageurs, created by a family-owned production company offering viewers “unique travel experiences through captivating films.” Since its establishment in 2008, more than 80 travel films have been produced and presented in over 50 cinemas and theatres across Quebec.
“Whether on the big screen at the cinema, online in the comfort of your own home, or in schools, libraries and retirement homes, you can discover the world through the eyes of passionate travellers,” described Yannick Gervais, the founder.
The film, shot by experienced travel filmmakers Nancy Gadoury and Dominic Lajeunesse of ExploreNaDoom, will be the first to be featured on the big screen in 17 years.
Photo caption
Photo #1: Amsterdam et les Pays-Bas, au fil de l’eau, a travel film highlighting the dynamic capital and how water transforms the landscape of the fascinating country, will be available on October 20 at Cinéma 9 and on November 3 at Cinéma Starcité Gatineau. (DD) Photo: Aventuriers Voyageurs
Photo #2: Nancy Gadoury and Dominic Lajeunesse of ExploreNaDoom specialize in video production, photography and aerial drone imagery. In 2019, they created their company, ExploreNaDoom, to travel and work at the same time. (DD) Photo: Aventuriers Voyageurs
After making Montreal and Quebec City crowds laugh out loud, Les Producteurs made a pit stop in Trois-Rivières before commencing their six-day residency at Gatineau’s Casino Lac-Leamy Theatre. From Thursday September 26 to 28 and then again the following weekend from October 3 to 5, Serge Postigo and his cast presented this stage adaptation of Mel Brooks’ masterpiece, the most awarded show in Broadway history with 12 Tony Awards.
The Gatineau Bulletin caught up with Marianne Orlowski, who plays Ulla Inga Hansen, ahead of their second opening show on September 27.
Tell me a bit about your artistic background, and then how you came to be part of Les Producteurs.
I’ve been an actress, singer and dancer in Paris for some time now. I did a few musical comedy shows here and there, including Les Producteurs. We played for two years and when Gestev producers came to see the show in Paris, they wanted to put on this show in Quebec — to redo the translation and adaptation by Serge Postigo, therefore doing a completely Quebec version of the show. Being in Paris throughout this show, I wanted to audition for the role of Ulla that I played here. Serge told me ‘Ok, no problem,’ and that’s it: I got my ticket, and I went on the adventure.
This role meant packing up your bags and settling in Quebec for close to a year, what has this experience been like for you?
It’s been almost a year now. I had never set foot in Quebec, and being here feels like I am living a bit of a dream. Already, since the auditions, I was so happy to come here but to be able to discover beautiful regions did it for me. It has been pure happiness.
How would you describe Les Producteurs to someone who has never seen the original or adaptation of the show?
The Producteurs is a musical in the purest tradition of the Golden Age, New York musicals; that’s why I really like it. The script is just incredible. It is Mel Brooks who is the author and it’s not for nothing that it won the Oscar for the best screenplay. The show is very, very funny. Personally, I was a little bit afraid of the reception by the public because it’s actually a very punchy [type of] humour, you really have to listen to that in the fifth degree, but that’s the wonderful thing.
Tell me about the character you play in the show. Who is Ulla Inga Hansen?
Ulla, who is a young Swedish woman full of ambition in life, dreams of becoming a star on Broadway and will do everything to become one. She is a woman who is aware of her assets and the world in which she evolves. She is still quite masculine for the time; we must not forget that this is a story that dates back to the 1960s.
How did you prepare ahead of the Producteurs tour across Quebec?
There are solid singing and dancing skills [required]. We were coached by the band Quartz, who are acapella singers. I was also coached in technical and vocal interpretation, same for dance. Steve Bolton choreographed this show, and I worked a lot with him. And so, I arrived, loaded with all that [training for] a number that is quite physical and intense for me, but which I am passionate about and for which I am very happy to, well, to put on the dress every night.
Tell me about the opening night in Gatineau.
We played our first in Gatineau last night [September 26] at the Casino and it was really, really enjoyable to hear real laughs from an entire audience who were won over by the humour of Mel Brooks like that. I [liked] the staging, which is really fantastic here, and this production and all the artists who are on set. We really had a lot of fun and I think the audience felt that. I had never been to Gatineau, so for me, it’s perpetual discovery and it’s special, too, because it’s the end of our tour; it’s the last city, so I think we may each have a bit of a twinge of heart, nostalgia as well.
You’ve just spent a year of your life putting on this incredible show alongside castmates who have become family. What are you feeling ahead of your last show in Quebec, and what’s next for Marianne?
Nostalgia, in a way. It was a completely crazy year for me to play this show here – this role – Quebec. We are a very united gang, a very close-knit group. I’ve discovered so much here and so many people; I love the Quebecois. So, for that, I have a slight urge to not go home, not that I disown France; I am just very attached [to Quebec], but lo and behold, the future is more in France for the moment. If I am considered to come back here for work in the future, it would be with pleasure.
Photo caption:
Photo #1: After making rounds across stages in Quebec, Les Producteurs made their last stop at Gatineau’s Casino Lac-Leamy Theatre during a six-show residency over the course of two weekends. (DD) Photo: Gestev.
Cries for change and better access to care could be heard from the women gathered at city hall on September 26 during a panel centring on women’s health in the Outaouais.
The panel, led by experts Dr. Ruth Vander Stelt, Marie-Eve Fournier and Patricia LaRue touched on the complexities of navigating a health care system which, despite its developments, still fails women in more ways than one. The hour-long discussion touched on flaws in early medicine, the disparities between care for women and men, reproductive health, and health accessibility issues in the Outaouais and for women living in rural areas.
The main takeaway offered by all three panelists is that health care is far from being analogous. On the contrary, it should be viewed from an intersectional lens to better meet the unique and complex needs of every patient. Despite this, “for years, medical tests were only done on men for men,” pointed out Marie-Eve Fournier, columnist for La Presse, while for women “almost all symptoms were related to stress or menopause.”
The refusal, or perhaps disinterest in going the extra mile to perform tests and diagnoses on women all those years ago has stalled the way they receive care today, she added.
Dr. Ruth Vander Stelt, a Pontiac-based general practitioner, believes the constant downplaying of early symptoms has led to the normalization of pain among women.
“Women are told: ‘it’s all in your head,’ ‘just go and get some rest,’ constantly,” she said, adding the notion that pain should be ignored is often transferred from mothers, generally of older generations — who received the same message from their practitioners — and passed on to their daughters.
Patricia LaRue, the executive director of Outaouais’ Women’s Clinic, named reduced research, limited access to resources and the inability to identify a multitude of symptoms found in women of all ages as repercussions. LaRue runs a feminist medical clinic offering abortion, contraception, sexual health workshops and IUD insertion services to women.
These basic services that should be accessible to female patients often aren’t advertized because the resources are simply unavailable in rural communities, Dr. Vander Stelt said. Due to a lack of access to care in their communities, these women must travel to the city and account for transportation which can cost a fortune by taxi. For women with abusive spouses, trips to the city, even for care, aren’t feasible.
“I’m from the Pontiac and commuting to the city to receive care should not be the solution or the norm,” she said. “Every CLSC should have the right resources.”
Unfortunately, for women in rural areas, their challenges don’t end upon arrival, as obtaining care tailored to their needs is often difficult, primarily due to language barriers.
“Translating barriers are a real issue,” LaRue backed Vander Stelt. “Children are having to translate their mother’s diagnosis because the doctor is unable to communicate in their language, it’s sad and extremely invasive.” This issue extends to newcomers and immigrants or members of a linguistic minority.
In the face of this adversity, many women have turned to social support networks, after their cries were ignored by the health-care system.
“Social media, often seen as a space for misinformation, especially in healthcare, has become a safe space for women,” said Dr. Vander Stelt, listing advocacy and awareness, empowerment, breaking taboos and misconceptions and the receipt of diverse perspectives as benefits of support networks.
LaRue named supporting women’s organizations as another way to boost access to efficient and compassionate care. Fournier suggested doing more research tailored to women’s health. She encouraged doctors to be curious about their female patients, although she understands they’re overworked. Lastly, she preached the benefits of spreading of information by sharing the names of experts both internally and externally to increase their reach.
Still, so much needs to be done, Dr. Vander Stelt said at the end of the Q&A session that followed the panel. “It’s unacceptable,” she said, her voice breaking as tears welled up. She encourages Outaouais women to continue speaking up, as it will allow for change, hopefully. “You guys have the power.”
Photo #1: Action Santé Outaouais and the Assemblée des Groupes de Femmes d’Interventions Régionales (AGIR) partnered to put together a panel and consultation concerning women’s health in the Outaouais. The hour-long panel, featuring experts Dr. Ruth Vander Stelt, Marie-Eve Fournier and Patricia LaRue, was followed by a short Q&A session and a workshop/consultation activity. The statistics and findings pulled from this event will be featured in a report that will be available in 2025. (DD) Photo: Djeneba Dosso
Photo #2: Pictured are two of the three panelists, Dr. Ruth Vander Stelt (right) and Patricia LaRue (left). (DD) Photo: Djeneba Dosso
On September 19, The City of Gatineau proudly announced the receipt of a Silver VÉLOSYMPATIQUE Collective Certification during the last meeting of the Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel and Safety. The distinction, awarded by Vélo Québec is in addition to the Bronze VÉLOSYMPATIQUE Organization Certification earned earlier this year for City Hall.
Gatineau has heavily promoted the “use of bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation” since 2016, when the city was awarded with its first VÉLOSYMPATIQUE Certification. In 2019, the City introduced their Cycling Network Master Plan which funded the integration of added bicycle parking lots, bus supports, lockers and repair stations, and secured more than 60 intersections for cyclists by prohibiting right turns at a red light or by adding a marking or bollards.
Since the adoption of their cycling plan between 2019 and 2024, the City has been able to build 55 kilometers of new cycling links. Today, the Gatineau territory offers more than 350 kilometers of cycling links, placing 81 per cent of residents within 250 meters of a bike path. Following the success of their pilot project, the City “is preparing to continue and improve it for the years 2025-2028,” — extending it for four years.
In addition to the improvements made to cycling infrastructure throughout the territory, Gatineau has invested in the wide offer of programs centring cycling activities and events, usually free of charge, for the entire population.
This recognition not only highlights Gatineau’s efforts to promote a sustainable mode of transportation, but also celebrates the growing population of cyclists around the city, said Catherine Craig St-Louis, the President of the Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel and Safety.
“I am proud of this recognition that highlights our vision of a city where cycling occupies a central place in the daily travel of citizens. These certifications highlight Gatineau’s efforts to develop a cycling culture, whether through the development and maintenance of infrastructure, or through education programs for the young and the not-so-young alike. Gatineau is more than ever committed to encouraging active mobility and providing quality infrastructure for all cyclists.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: Catherine Craig St-Louis, President of the Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel and Safety, posing with the Silver VÉLOSYMPATIQUE Collectivity Certification in front of City Hall. (DD) Photo: Ville de Gatineau.
MRC PONTIAC – When the Quebec government announced their plans to build 100 new cell towers in dead zone regions at the outset of summer, it excited rural residents and elected officials alike. However, fast forward to fall, many municipalities, including the Pontiac, are finding out they haven’t made the list.
The $170 million investment is the first phase of Premier François Legault’s high-speed connectivity plan which intends to build at least 79 cellphone towers by spring 2024. The plan targets poor connectivity or no-signal regions across the province.
“I’m very proud of the work accomplished so far to improve cellular coverage and I’m delighted to offer all residents, no matter where they are, a quality of life that lives up to what we have the right to expect in Quebec,” Legault stated in a press release.
However, it appears the promise of ‘offer [to] all residents’ isn’t universal, for now at least, as the Pontiac and several other rural areas needing cellular service have been left out of the plan. In hopes of finding a compromise, Warden Jane Toller suggested refurbishing existing towers while Pontiac awaits the construction of new ones. This suggestion was quickly shut down as monopolizing cellular service providers felt it wasn’t a priority.
“The suggestion to refurbish existing towers came through the province and was mentioned at a hydro meeting. So, I’m very concerned that the government approached Bell and Rogers to ask if they could collaborate using existing cell towers and the answer was they weren’t interested because they didn’t feel this is a priority area. But we certainly are,” said Toller.
While Toller admits this solution would’ve only been a Band-Aid fix, it would’ve been a step forward, offering temporary ease to a pressing issue. Much of the Upper Pontiac and areas of Portage-du-Fort, Bryson, and Quyon are low or no service areas.
“In emergencies, we’ve had times where people had no access to communication. It’s a public security issue,” she added, pointing to a car accident near Waltham a few years ago where someone had to travel to a place where they could get reception to call for help.
“It’s unacceptable and also very difficult for a lot of people here who are trying to run businesses from home or working virtually. We want to continue to revitalize and develop the Pontiac, attracting new residents—we’ve already had a population increase, but we want it to continue and to attract more business,” she pleads. “It’s absolutely necessary to offer Wi-Fi and excellent cellular service, and [these] cellular companies seem to be either in denial or extremely out of touch.”
Toller plans to discuss refurbishing existing cell towers with her council and move a resolution soon. She has received word that a Fiber Optic Program, funded by the government has already been rolled out across Quebec and will reach the Pontiac shortly. “So, I fully expect our cellular service [issues] will be addressed.” she concluded.
On September 10, the City of Gatineau announced a new support program that will provide financial assistance to existing and start-up residents associations. The conditional announcement came prematurely, ahead of the September 24 municipal council meeting, where the approval of the project will be confirmed. If adopted, “a maximum total amount of $600,000 could be awarded to residents associations,” as early of 2025, compared to the $338,000 granted to the same groups in 2024.
“It is in the city’s interest to increase its support for residents associations, as these organizations play a crucial role in strengthening social cohesion and improving the quality of life in the neighbourhoods,” said Plateau District Councillor and Chair of the Recreation, Sports and Community Development Commission, Bettyna Bélizaire. “By investing more in these associations, the city can not only promote greater solidarity and a sense of belonging among residents, but also ensure more effective management of common areas.”
The city carried out consultations with all of Gatineau’s residents associations between fall 2022 and spring of 2024 to better assess their needs. Together, they turned their focus toward three pressing issues: more financial assistance, better definitions of recognition and eligibility criteria and reinforced support for start-up residents associations.
“This [collaborative] approach laid the foundations of the new program,” the City explained in a press release, adding that beyond the offer of financial aid, this initiative will also improve the current range of services offered by residents associations.
“Increased support promotes local initiatives, strengthens security and stimulates community development, thus contributing to the creation of a more harmonious and dynamic urban environment for all residents,” said Bélizaire.
Based on its adoption at the upcoming council meeting, the new support project would be integrated into the Community Development Support Framework, an initiative aimed at providing residents with the knowledge and skills they need to better their neighbourhoods. In this context, the pilot project could be effective as early as next year, the city says.
Start-up or active residents associations will be able to find more information on available financial assistance and eligibility criteria on the Financial Assistance, Support and Grants page of the municipal website. From there, they will be able to fill out a form to formally submit their request for support.
The city wishes to open this support portal as early as September 25, closing it on October 18 at 4 pm. This will of course be subject to the adoption of the program the day before.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) may have gone too far to stop the mandatory return of federal public servants to the office in downtown Gatineau. In a campaign first called ‘Buy Nothing,’ later renamed ‘Buy Local’— ultimately deleted from the alliance’s social media altogether following backlash — they encouraged public servants to stop frequenting local restaurants during the lunch and happy hours. While their intentions may have been in the right place, their attacks were directed at the wrong targets, said the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce (GCC) in a press release dated September 12.
“We would like to emphasize that the merchants in our city centre are not responsible for these decisions and should not be targeted in this action,” said Etienne Fredette, Director General of the GCC. “They are essential partners in local economic vitality and job creation drivers that support the community.”
The boycott, which only lasted 24 hours before being dismantled, came following the mandatory three-day return to office for public servants working remotely. In a now deleted Instagram post, PSAC urged workers to stop frequenting local businesses in downtown Gatineau and Ottawa. A few hours later, the post was replaced with a campaign to only frequent local restaurants as opposed to big chains.
But the decision to bring employees back to the office is “a problem between the syndicate and the federal government,” Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa stresses. “Small businesses in the city centre in Ottawa are not part of this issue.” He was backed by Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, who added, “With this campaign and boycott, unfortunately, the target is not the right one.”
The alliance, now under hot water and facing pressure from all sides, released a statement on September 12, acknowledging its faults.
“After consulting with local businesses and our members, I recognize that this approach was misguided, and it was never my intention to pit public servants against small businesses,” said Ruth Lau MacDonald, Regional Executive Vice-President for PSAC. “We’re calling on the federal government to work with municipalities and businesses to revitalize downtowns without putting the onus on public servants.”
The ideology that public servants were being brought back to work in-person to revitalize the city core’s economy was a leading factor in the execution of this boycott. It is to be noted that federal workers’ spending increases significantly when they work from the office. Small amounts, all spent downtown in a day’s work, such as gas, parking, breakfast, lunch and/or dinner, drive up their daily tab. The GCC, however, is of the opinion that the “revival of the city centre does not depend exclusively on the presence of public servants.”
“Public servants certainly play an important role in our region, but they are not the only option to ensure the economic and social vitality of our city centre. We have made this mistake in the past and it is crucial not to repeat it,” said Fredette. The GCC named local businesses, professional services and creative and technology industries as entities that build a resilient economy outside of dollars spent by public servants when working downtown.
Despite all this commotion, the government stands firm on its decision to return federal employees to the office three days a week, allocating two days of remote work. The GCC is calling on all stakeholders, including the PSAC to join forces to find solutions that will support workers, businesses and the community alike.
“The economic development of our inner city requires a collaborative and inclusive approach, and we believe it is in everyone’s best interest to foster a prosperous economic environment for residents, businesses and employees.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), who initiated a boycott following the government’s announcement to return federal employees to the office three days a week, found themselves in hot water after dragging local small businesses into their crossfire. (DD) Photo: The Public Service Alliance of Canada.
The STO, known to oversee and support all major public transit projects, may have some of their workload lightened, as the government is seeking to create a new entity that would manage large-scale development projects.
The bill for the creation of the MIQ comes as studies have started for the city’s tramway project. If adopted, the task force would facilitate the execution of significant transportation initiatives, taking over planning, implementation and decision-making for the STO, who will be consulted periodically. For the transport company’s President Jocelyn Blondin, turning the face of public transportation in Gatineau into consultants for major transport-related projects feels like demotion.
“We must not only be consulted,” he said. “We must be involved at all stages of the project. We recommend that MIQ be obliged to partner with the transport company that will carry out the operation from the beginning of the project.
The project in question, being the city’s tramway, has been handled by STO’s Tram Project Office, which has been overseeing the file up until this point. In addition to the possible dismantling of STO’s task force, the adoption of this bill could represent a lot of changes for the company, the most significant being finances, as they would now assume expenses that were once entirely government funded.
“Capital projects are currently funded by governments,” they detailed in a press release. “A project under the supervision of Mobilité Infra Québec will require a contribution from the STO or the city. The amount could also be decided unilaterally by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Development. For the STO, capital financing must continue to be 100 per cent assumed by governments.”
This stance was echoed in the parliamentary committee meeting on September 17, where the STO asked that the MIQ be excluded from projects that are related to day-to-day operations and the regular planning of public transport services. Shortly after the meeting, STO released a list of recommendations should the government move forward with the creation of MIQ.
Eliminate the need for government authorization for public transport companies to exercise powers related to selling or developing property to reduce delays. STO also seeks to remove a clause on property sales, as this authority is already granted under existing laws governing these companies;
Amend the Public Transport Companies Act (PTCA) to give public transportation companies the means to promote the real estate development of public transport sites and enable public transportation companies to partner with private entities for construction on transport infrastructure and adjacent real estate developments;
Amend section 92.0.8 of the proposed PTCA to provide that the financial consideration made must benefit the financing of the public transport infrastructure project, or its maintenance, its operation or the provision of services of the transport company according to percentages to be defined jointly by MIQ and the project operator;
Specify the mission assigned to MIQ, in particular by indicating in section 4 of the MIQ Act, that complex transport projects refer to major public road projects, excluding operational tasks like garage expansions, asset maintenance, or improvements to systems central to transport companies, such as fleet management or ticketing;
Clarify MIQ’s areas of intervention and responsibilities in sections 5 and 29 of the MIQ Act, specifying that MIQ’s mobility planning duties do not include the regular planning of a transport company’s public services;
Define MIQ’s responsibilities to exclude regular planning of public transport services from its mobility planning duties in sections 5 and 29 of the MIQ Act;
Provide, in the MIQ Act, that MIQ projects are automatically operated by local transport companies, unless the company is unable to do so;
Provide, in section 74 of the MIQ Act, that the government, municipalities, and transport companies need to negotiate agreements on financing maintenance, operation, and development costs of the project; and,
MIQ’s governance must include expertise in universal accessibility and disability transportation, and it must have the necessary resources for planning and developing accessible infrastructure in all projects.
While MIQ’s future is still far from being set in stone, the STO is prepared to put their foot down in order to continue assuming leading responsibilities on all large-scale development projects in Gatineau.
After all, “The STO will have to respond to the population when the project is in place,” Blondin pointed out. “It is therefore important that it is involved in the different steps to ensure that it is accountable.”
Photo caption
Photo #1: As the city continues to advance research for the tramway project, the government is looking to create a new task force that would take over the tram and all major transportation projects in Gatineau. As the face of public transit in the city, STO is firm on keeping their leading position on all transportation matters. (DD) Photo: Tramway Gatineau-Ottawa
‘Put Yourself In My Place,’ an anti-racism and discrimination campaign created by Gatineau youth, has been officially launched. The city’s Youth Commission collaborated with young people to create 39 capsule videos highlighting microaggressions faced by racialized students. The videos, each one minute or less, capture an “experience through testimony followed by a suggestion to prevent such a situation from happening again.” The capsules, which all end on a positive note, will be broadcast across Gatineau secondary schools and on AdoGatineau.ca throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
The campaign targets teenagers aged 12 to 17, as well as parents, staff of educational institutions and youth-related organizations, with the objective to demystify microaggressions, which are often overlooked. The first step is understanding, detailed co-chairs of the Youth Commission, Tiffany-Lee Norris Parent and Rosalie Bureau, in a press release.
“Microaggressions are usually manifested by a trivial comment or gesture, but which can be hurtful or denigrating for the person who receives it. The Youth Commission wanted to set up a campaign to raise awareness among teenagers about this phenomenon, because it is often difficult to change a behavior that we do not understand. We are therefore very happy to deploy this campaign throughout the next school year and we invite teenagers to discover the capsules.”
The project was made possible as part of the City’s 2021-2024 Action Plan for Cultural Diversity and Living Together in Gatineau. The capsule videos, which feature a wide range of students, all varying in age and race, covers racism, microaggressions and different subject matters, such as body diversity, sexual diversity, agism and sexism. A guide for parents has also been produced to guide them in having intentional conversations about racism, discrimination and related heavy topics with their children.
All the capsule videos, as well as the guide for adults, are available on AdoGatineau.ca, a platform geared to teenagers which offers a multitude of services and resources.
Photo caption
Photo #1: The Gatineau Youth Commission has launched 39 capsule videos to sensitize youth to microaggressions faced by racialized students. From left to right: Alicia Lacasse-Brunet, Esther Beaudry, Tiffany-Lee Norris and members of the Youth Commission. (DD) Photo: Courtesy of the City of Gatineau
The City of Gatineau is actively seeking former employees who held positions in the aquatic sector after June 29, 2016, regarding possible salary adjustments as part of the city’s wage equity program.
“As many of them may have moved or left the region, an appeal is made to the population to trace them,” the city detailed in a press release on September 12. “They may be eligible for a retroactive salary adjustment under the ongoing pay equity process.”
The positions qualifying for the adjustment for the period June 29, 2016 to June 28, 2021, include chief pool lifeguard supervisors, head of beach lifeguard supervisors, monitors, chief monitors, and specialists I and II. For the period starting June 29, 2021, the positions targeted are the same but also include receptionists and assistant lifeguard supervisors.
Automatic deposits will be made into the rightful owners’ bank accounts until the end of December 2024; however, payments can only be issued with up-to-date contact and banking information on file. Therefore, people who have moved since holding one of the jobs listed above should send an email to rh.remuneration@gatineau.ca in order to supply their updated information. Forms for notice of change of address and direct deposits are available on the municipal site under Pay Equity, in the Careers section.
If the personal information is still the same, former employees do not have to contact the municipality. It is unclear whether a deadline to receive the forms has been set; however, salary adjustments for the aquatic sector will not be made past the end of the year.
Limbour’s Canine Companions proudly announced the official opening of a new canine exercise area at Lamarche Park. Fourth of its kind, following Buckingham, Hull and Aylmer, the canine park will offer owners and dogs alike a space to stretch their legs. The ceremonial inauguration, which took place on September 12, welcomed residents and their four-legged companions in large numbers.
“After several years of planning, consultation and construction, we are proud to finally welcome the community to this dedicated space,” said the canine association’s president Stéphane Dubeau. “This is a safe and accessible space for dogs to run around and socialize with other dogs, it is also a gathering space intended to be as welcoming as possible for dog owners, who can enjoy a pleasant visit and a moment of socialization among each other.”
This project, which has been in the works since 2020, is the fruit of a close collaboration between Limbour’s Canine Companions and the City of Gatineau, who invested over $300,000. Infrastructure issues, notably the location of the park, which is located under Hydro-Québec aerial property, delayed construction. The canine park, extending on 3,000 square metres, was built under Hydro-Québec transmission lines, placing them directly on a transmission right-of-way.
“A transmission right-of-way is a strip of land used to install, operate, maintain and repair overhead and underground transmission lines. The width of a right-of-way depends on the voltage of the line, among other criteria,” details the hydro website. In the event that something, such as this exercise area were to be built in the right-of-way, Hydro-Québec gains full access and ownership of the building(s) and land it resides on, “aerial and underground servitude, leases and public land access agreements.”
While Dubeau, the association’s president, confirmed this information, stating there were “minor delays due to Hydro-Québec, because the dog run is under a Hydro-Québec right-of-way,” he did not detail how they came to a resolution allowing them to move ahead with the project. It is unclear if Hydro-Québec has maintained its ownership of the land and aerial space above it.
Nonetheless, he believes every obstacle was worth it in order to create an environment for dogs to exercise safely. Now that it is in operation, the canine exercise park is the first of its kind to be entirely run by a non-profit organization in Gatineau and it has been met with positive feedback.
“Residents of the Limbour district and surrounding area have expressed considerable enthusiasm and support for this project, demonstrating their desire to provide facilities for the entertainment and socialization of their pets,” said Jordan Larochelle, who volunteers for Limbour’s Canine Companions.
The opening of the exercise park is the first phase of a two-part plan for the canine association that wishes to install lights, dog sand for water accumulation and a rock stone trail with the money they raise this year.
For the time being, Limbour’s Canine Companions say they’re simply thrilled to offer Gatineau residents a park with modern, safe facilities to provide a place for relaxation and outdoor activities.
Photo caption
Photo #1: After four long years of delays, construction and negotiations, Limbour’s Canine Companions have officially opened their canine exercise area within the Lamarche Park at 33 Stéphane St. (DD) Photo: Djeneba Dosso
On September 10, the City of Gatineau announced a new support program that will provide financial assistance to existing and start-up residents associations. The conditional announcement came prematurely, ahead of the September 24 municipal council meeting, where the approval of the project will be confirmed. If adopted, “a maximum total amount of $600,000 could be awarded to residents associations,” as early of 2025, compared to the $338,000 granted to the same groups in 2024.
“It is in the city’s interest to increase its support for residents associations, as these organizations play a crucial role in strengthening social cohesion and improving the quality of life in the neighbourhoods,” said Plateau District Councillor and Chair of the Recreation, Sports and Community Development Commission, Bettyna Bélizaire. “By investing more in these associations, the city can not only promote greater solidarity and a sense of belonging among residents, but also ensure more effective management of common areas.”
The city carried out consultations with all of Gatineau’s residents associations between fall 2022 and spring of 2024 to better assess their needs. Together, they turned their focus toward three pressing issues: more financial assistance, better definitions of recognition and eligibility criteria and reinforced support for start-up resident associations.
“This [collaborative] approach laid the foundations of the new program,” the City explained in a press release, adding that beyond the offer of financial aid, this initiative will also improve the current range of services offered by residents associations.
“Increased support promotes local initiatives, strengthens security and stimulates community development, thus contributing to the creation of a more harmonious and dynamic urban environment for all residents,” said Bélizaire.
Based on its adoption at the upcoming council meeting, the new support project would be integrated into the Community Development Support Framework, an initiative aimed at providing residents with the knowledge and skills they need to better their neighbourhoods. In this context, the pilot project could be effective as early as next year, the city says.
Start-up or active residents associations will be able to find more information on available financial assistance and eligibility criteria on the Financial Assistance, Support and Grants page of the municipal website. From there, they will be able to fill out a form to formally submit their request for support.
The city wishes to open up this support portal as early as September 25, closing it on October 18 at 4 pm. This will of course be subject to the adoption of the program the day before.
QUEBEC – Described as a way to “strengthen Quebec’s status within Canada,” the Quebec Constitution, an idea that has split the province since 1968, is once again being pushed, this time by the Quebec Liberal Party’s (QLP) National Policy Committee (NPC).
On August 12, the NPC proposed the province adopt a written Quebec Constitution. One that, according to Julie White and Antoine Dionne Charest, NPC members, will “unify” Quebecers while addressing “their daily concerns.”
“Regardless of their [values], orientations or language, this is a project to affirm Quebec within Canada,” Charest told the Journal. “We want it to be a project that unites all Quebecers.”
The ongoing debate regarding the need for a written provincial constitution isn’t new. Ideas of a Quebec Constitution have been floating around since the 1960s. It was the event in April 1982, when Quebec refused to sign the Canadian Constitution, that sparked different views among political leaders. Since then, some have pushed for the province to become independent, while others have supported stronger connections with Canada. In 2017, the province attempted to open a dialogue to review the Canadian Constitution, but to no avail.
The QLP says its renewed interest in the proposal of a constitution comes as a response to policies of the governing Coalition Avenir Québec and of the Parti Québécois, who plan to “separate us from Canada.” They hope to take matters into their own hands by offering Quebecers “a constitution that allows us to affirm who we truly are, with our language, our civil law, and the powers of the Quebec government,” they said in a video released August 12. With the adoption of a written constitution, the party is proposing to affirm the rights of the English-speaking community, particularly in health and education, but also those of immigrants by putting in place provisions on immigration that would clarify Quebec’s policy on integration.
For Charest, son of former Quebec Liberal premier Jean Charest, this initiative should’ve come much sooner as a “protection of the rights of the Anglophone community.”
“If Quebec had a written Quebec Constitution that enshrined the rights of the Anglophone community to services and education in English, the government wouldn’t question the autonomy of English school boards as it has, or the right to services in English across the province,” he said.
Their next step will come in November. “The first thing to do as a political party is to agree on the idea of a constitution,” Charet said. “We’ve just proposed to our members and Liberal activists to open a discussion on the draft of the constitution, and we’ve launched a campaign to promote the proposed constitution. [This] will take us through November 2024, where QLP members will be able to vote on the project.”
Quebec isn’t the only province looking to create its own constitution. British Columbia has already paved the way, standing as the only province utilizing its right to a written provincial body of laws. Other provinces, like Alberta with its Bill of Rights and now Quebec, are still in limbo.
“There’s a desire for a new form of federalism that respects provincial autonomy,” claimed Charest. “The relationship between the provinces doesn’t just go through Ottawa. They have relationships with each other. Canada’s cohesion depends first and foremost on the provinces. They are the ones who provide basic services to citizens, the day-to-day management of this country. It’s not the federal government that does it.”
Charest believes that if Quebec makes the move and does it well, the initiative could inspire other provinces to seek their autonomy through written constitutions.
With notes from CHIP FM Local Journalism Initiative
QUEBEC – The province has decided the time is now for allowing advance requests for medical assistance in dying (MAID) for patients facing degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. For the last two years, provinces have been calling on the federal government to change the Criminal Code to allow patients to make premature requests, to no avail.
Quebec adopted its own MAID laws in June 2016 and again in June 2023 to permit people with serious and incurable illnesses to request MAID while they have the capacity to provide consent. The province is now pushing for the Criminal Code to reflect these changes.
According to federal laws, patients must provide consent to MAID “immediately before” a healthcare worker administers a medically assisted death, giving them “an opportunity to withdraw their request and ensuring the person consents.” Providing said consent in writing, along with being at least 18 years old and experiencing “constant and unbearable physical or psychological pain” are all criteria patients must meet to be eligible.
Since 2016, Quebec has been working to ease these requirements to not only include patients who aren’t in constant pain but experiencing degenerative diseases, but also allowing them to make premature MAID requests to carry out the procedure before their condition worsens.
Major changes to Quebec’s MAID laws were adopted in June 2023. Patients no longer needed to be at their end of life to request MAID and it was ruled that people living with mental health illnesses such as severe depression wouldn’t be eligible. This law differed heavily from the Criminal Code which barred early MAID requests but ruled in favour of MAID for people with mental health issues, said Guy Morissette, MAID coordinator at Le Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux (CISSSO) de l’Outaouais.
“The rationale at this point is that society may not be ready to have a mental health condition as the main reason to be eligible for MAID,” he said in an interview with CHIP FM, stating the topic is heavily discussed in medical and professional fields but also in communities. “What people are saying is ‘we know access to mental health care in Quebec and Canada is difficult. If we’re not able to facilitate access to care, then we shouldn’t resort to MAID.”
Canada, despite being in favour of medically assisted deaths for people diagnosed with mental health illnesses, has pushed back the adoption of the law for two consecutive years with no due date in sight.
On the other hand, Quebec, which saw 300 MAID requests this year in the Outaouais alone and expects at least 100 more in 2024, is tired of waiting according to Léa Fortin, spokesperson for Seniors Minister Sonia Bélanger.
“We’ll be ready, and we’ll move forward,” she told the Canadian Press. “We want the federal government to change the Criminal Code, but if they don’t, we’re working on our options.”
When asked how the province intends to bypass the Criminal Code to grant early MAID requests, Morissette admitted many details are still up in the air and changes won’t be effective until June 2025, if not later.
“At this point it’s a bit difficult because it’s not all adopted to be able to access MAID, but we’re just going to conclude and adopt what needs to be adopted and in a few weeks it will be public and easier to explain,” she added.
The province is expected to release a statement providing details and updates to MAID laws in Quebec sometime in September, latest October.
SHAWVILLE – The future of AgriSaveur, a shared commercial kitchen for agricultural producers to process their products, was seemingly put on the back burner following the MRC Pontiac’s purchase of the local slaughterhouse. However, Kim Lesage, MRC Pontiac director general, confirmed their “main vision has not changed” and buying Abattoir les Viandes du Pontiac ($1.6 million) was vital to support local agriculture and ensure the success of AgriSaveur.
“Our management framework for AgriSaveur, the MRC’s ‘Signature Innovation’ project, was aimed at creating a space with agricultural vocation and more specifically, agri-food processing. The main objective is to develop the full potential of agriculture, its production and its processed products,” she said.
The province introduced ‘Signature Innovation’ projects last February as part of the Regions and Rurality Fund (FRR) to help MRCs develop niches specific to their territory through the realization of a major project. AgriSaveur, which would ensure farm-to-plate products are 100% sourced from the Pontiac while providing farmers and processors with advanced equipment, was the “perfect project” for the region according to Shanna Armstrong, MRC Pontiac economic development commissioner.
When the local slaughterhouse went up for auction, the MRC decided to use funds from components 3 and 4 of the FRR and a portion the AgriSaveur project fund to place a bid. Not much was said about AgriSaveur following the abattoir purchase, prompting doubt over the future of the initiative.
“Not all of our funds have been allocated to the purchase and there are other funding opportunities and agreements underway,” Lesage clarified. “We bought the building and equipment; however, we’ll have an agreement with Coopérative de solidarité AgriSaveur du Pontiac (CSAP) to lease it from us and operate the business.”
CSAP, made up of agricultural producers, working members and supporting members, finished recruitment in August, confirmed William Armitage, CSAP chairman.
“The goal now is for everyone to work together to complete this project properly,” he said. “We have a mixture of experience and knowledge. Now it’s a matter of getting the slaughterhouse running again.”
Initially, the MRC expected slaughterhouse operations to resume in the fall when CSAP assumed all managing responsibilities. This timeline is now threatened as members await MAPAQ permits. Armitage explained CSAP is working closely with MAPAQ and government bodies to figure out logistics and tear through mountains of paperwork. The process, however, is a long one.
“We’re trying to figure [things out]. We can’t give an exact timeline, but everybody is hopeful it’s going to happen [sometime in 2024],” said Armitage.
In the meantime, the Quebec firm Mallette was hired to conduct research for the “acquisition of equipment for the AgriSaveur facility” and create a business plan that will aid producers with marketing.
Local farmers are already getting the word out, notably at the recent Shawville Fair.
“Everything is going pretty smoothly – we haven’t had any hiccups – so we’ll hopefully get this thing going as fast as we can,” he added.
After MAPAQ permits are acquired, CSAP plans to recruit more committee members and hire employees. The hope is for AgriSaveur operations to begin shortly afterwards.
Last Tuesday, the City of Gatineau’s Scientific Council listed artificial intelligence, climate change, roaming and sustainable mobility as the four priorities that will guide their research. Over the next year, the team of researchers, made up of six scholars from the UQO, will use their findings to make recommendations to the city on various issues.
While the concept of chief scientists isn’t new in Quebec, this type of advisory board, made up of experts who can analyze topics and propose suggestions to elected officials, is a first. The Scientific Council is required to propose a list of priorities to city officials, as they have recently done, and their proposals will be reviewed for approval by city council on September 24.
In the meantime, the Scientific Council, a relatively new player in the field, is taking into consideration potential challenges, risks and opportunities they may face. Ana Flavia Alves, director of the Organizational Performance and Business Intelligence and Scientific Department of the City of Gatineau, told CBC News Ottawa-Gatineau that this year, their goal is to better define the roles of stakeholders. “We have tried to clarify the roles and responsibilities as much as possible, but we may have to adjust in this first year of operation,” she said. “One of the objectives of the Council is to keep the municipal council informed of the progress in research, while recalling that the Council aims to support decisions of the elected representatives of Gatineau.”
Now that the Scientific Council has chosen its priorities, they are in the process of reflecting on effective ways to share information with citizens and the municipal council. Hiccups and bumps in the road are expected, as this is the first time a scientific council has been adopted in Quebec. However, the response from city officials and residents has been overwhelmingly positive and welcoming, which must be encouraging for the six researchers tasked with making suggestions that will affect the whole of Gatineau.
Gatineau Police went out on a wild goose chase as early as 4 am on September 6 to locate a man who had shown up at a depanneur on Lorrain Boulevard with what appeared to be a firearm. Later, authorities would discover that the same man was responsible for the theft of two firearms from a vehicle. Both weapons were stolen the night before.
A little earlier, authorities were called to the convenience store in Gatineau’s Rivière-Blanche sector concerning a man who was standing outside, in possession of what seemed to be “a long weapon.” While the mysterious man did not make any threatening gestures or disturbing remarks, he would present himself as a soldier to justify his possession of the weapon. When the police arrived at the scene, the man had vanished.
The information collected at the scene quickly indicated that this man was a regular and that “he possibly lived in a camp located in a nearby woodland.” Police easily located the camp, but the man was nowhere to be found. However, they did receive crucial and incriminating information at the scene.
“When the police located the camp, the individual was not there,” the police-issued press release read. “The police were able to seize two firearms (hunting weapons) as well as ammunition. The checks allowed the police to find the owner of the weapons, who informed them that they had been stolen during that night from his vehicle.”
The police, who spent a good part of the early hours of Friday morning looking for the suspect, were able to locate and arrest him shortly before 6:45 am on Boulevard Lorrain near the intersection of Rue des Fleurs.
The man, who is 34 years old and from Gatineau, was transported to the police station to be met by investigators. He will remain in custody until he appears before the Quebec Court.
Gatineau Police reminds residents that, while it is not prohibited by law to store firearms in a vehicle if all regulations are respected, “zero risk does not exist.” They recommend that firearm owners refrain from leaving them in a vehicle longer than necessary and that they avoid leaving them unattended.
If you’ve recently received a suspicious call from a financial institution’s fraud department alerting you of fraudulent activity on your debit or credit cards, you may have been victim of an elaborate scheme. These fraudsters, with intent to steal their victims’ credit card information and personal identification numbers (PINs), are known to cosplay as bank advisors, police officers or Canada Post postmen. These disguises allow them to obtain access to personal information inconspicuously. The Gatineau Police, who has received over a hundred complaints regarding this scheme since the beginning of last March, released prevention tips on September 5.
“Even for the savviest among us, it can be really hard to know when we’re being conned,” Jay FitzGerald, a TD Bank Fraud Risk Manager told TD Stories. “First, scammers get your attention, mostly by email or phone but sometimes in person. Then they work to win your trust, at which point they’ll go for the score.”
False representative fraud usually involves two or more perpetrators who all play different roles in obtaining both victim’s trust and personal information. Perpetrator One will be charged with initiating contact. Usually by phone but sometimes in email form, they will present themselves as a bank fraud officer and swiftly alert the victim that fraud has been committed on their card. Now panicked, the victim will likely ask for instructions on the best course of action, at which point the perpetrator will reassure the victim, letting them know someone will come pick up the card at their home. This is when the second perpetrator will make his entrance, the police press release details.
“This accomplice is presented as an employee of Canada Post, a colleague of the financial institution he says he represents or a police officer. Some victims give the cards in person to the accomplice, but the majority of them following the instructions of the interlocutor who keeps them online until his accomplice recovers said cards, leave them in a sealed envelope in their mailbox.”
Fraudsters then use the cards to make purchases and withdrawals at varying locations to avoid suspicion. The victims, who may overlook mysterious charges thinking the issue is being resolved by the bank fraud officer they spoke to, usually takes some time to realize they have really been scammed.
The thieves behind these schemes target clients from various financial institutions. They know how to be convincing and ensure “they have enough information about their victims to put them in confidence and convince them to hand over all their cards.”
The Gatineau Police is urging residents to stay vigilant when accepting calls.
“Fraudsters have more than one trick up their sleeve,” they warn. “Current technology allows fraudsters to bring up any number on your display, so even if the number displayed corresponds to that of your banking institution, beware.”
As a prevention tip, they advise to hang up and dial the number indicated on the back of the card when receiving a call from someone who claims to work for a financial institution.
“Fraudsters are skilled,” they add. “They will try to create a sense of urgency in you and will urge you to reveal confidential information to them.”
The best call is always to avoid giving up personal identification numbers (PINs) or card numbers on the phone, especially to an interlocutor whose identity you have not been able to confirm.
While the number of fake representative fraud schemes continues to climb, a little vigilance is all it could take to avoid being scammed.
“If in doubt, hang up and contact your police department,” concluded the Gatineau Police.
As public servants and children return to work and school, STO is gearing up to meet the demand that has come with increased ridership by reinstating popular routes. Last week, during their general assembly, the transportation society’s board of directors announced all the improvements that will come into effect this winter.
The ridership seen on the network in recent months and the workforce forecast are the best STO has seen in years revealed Jocelyn Blondin, Chairman of the STO’s Board of Directors. “For the first time since the start of the pandemic, we’re in a position to add service this winter,” she stated.
Already, the STO has hit the ground running by increasing recruitment efforts, which will be vital in carrying out their winter service plan. As of January 6, 2025, the public transit service plans to reinstate routes 100 and 200 during peak hours, giving riders direct access to downtown Gatineau and Ottawa. Route 400 will be maintained during off-peak hours. Additionally, Sunday service will be upgraded to match Saturday service, meaning earlier and later ride options for passengers. The last change to be adopted in January will be a single schedule for weekends and holidays.
These changes come in accordance with the orientations and the decision made by the municipal council, which is committed to improving the city’s transportation services as early as 2026, explains Blondin. “As you can see, we’re already in action.”
This initiative comes after many outcries from Gatineau residents surrounding the city’s “outdated” public transit service. By adopting these improvements, STO is hoping to meet some of the demands of the riders who depend on their services. A communications campaign to advertize the service changes that will come into effect this winter will be launched in the coming weeks.
The City of Gatineau has commissioned a mural for the Allumettières who, 100 years ago, mobilized and then sensitized the community to better working conditions for women during the second labour conflict. The dedicated mural, which is a part of ‘The Allumettières, 100 years later’ project, is currently in progress on the Marché de l’Outaouais (MDO) building.
“The chosen location for this art piece is no coincidence,” reveals Léo Bret, who is currently in charge of development within the MDO. “Our wall was chosen because it is located in the heart of Old Hull, on Eddy Street. As a result, MDO is ‘the canvas’ of [the mural] painted by Quebec artist Danae Brissonnet.”
Brissonnet, who usually works alone, but created this mural with the help of her mother, specializes in public murals, illustrations, mask making and puppetry. Her work, which can be found on buildings across Canada, Mexico and the U.S., is easily distinguished through its bright colours and bold shapes. The Quebec muralist, who draws a clear emphasis on symbolism, mythology and metaphor in her work, lets her artistic process be guided by dreams.
“I think about a theme for several days, do some research and then the images come naturally,” she told the Gatineau Bulletin. “For this mural, feathery colours came up a lot, as did themes like jaws lost to white phosphorus and female workers on industrial assembly lines, like little people entering a big machine. I also reflected on the poetry of matches: instantaneity, light, fire, creation and destruction and the oppositions between life and death.”
For the young muralist, the location of this piece was a no-brainer, as it is closely linked to the values of solidarity and community “just like the associations that promote local products and mutual aid,” she said. The sentiment was shared by the MDO.
“We’re very pleased with this initiative. It’s a work of art that belongs to everyone, and that everyone should make their own in order to enjoy it to the fullest,” Bret said. “This initiative a great opportunity for us to continue promoting our activities and we hope that the City of Gatineau will continue with similar projects in the future.”
Brissonnet, who is currently finalizing the mural on 71 Eddy Street, will also be creating a puppet show around the Allumettières women to inaugurate the mural. The details of the show have yet to be released but she expressed her excitement on her role in this project.
“The Allumettières created the first women’s union in Quebec, and I think that’s an incredible story to tell.”
Photo caption:
Photo #1: Quebec muralist Danae Brissonnet poses with her mother in front of the almost-finished mural on 71 Eddy Street. The piece was commissioned by the City of Gatineau to honour the Allumettières for their work 100 years ago to improve working conditions and promote better wages for women. (DD) Photo: Courtesy
It would not be a Gatineau summer without its annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. The iconic summer send-off began on August 29 and stretched into Labour Day weekend, ending on September 2. Stakes were high for the 37th edition as it was succeeding last summer’s nearly perfect festival which saw a record-breaking attendance of over 225,000, generating $15 million in economic spinoff for the Outaouais region. This year, the five-day festival featured twenty hot air balloons of different colours, shapes and sizes “set to soar to new heights” with all new entertainment and thrilling attractions for everyone.
Music lovers were spoiled with performances from top artists, notably, country star and three-time CCMA Artist of the Year Dallas Smith, Jonathan Roy, Dave Fenley and world-renowned artist and recent Juno Awards winner, Charlotte Cardin as the headliner. They shared the stage with local artists during the all-rap evening on Sunday featuring the biggest names in Quebec rap: Souldia, FouKi, Koriass and Die-On, just to name a few. A selection of DJs tasked with keeping the energy high were on rotation throughout the weekend.
Other forms of entertainment included a three-tier graffiti competition, Silent Disco, car shows and twenty rides for all ages at the Beauce Carnaval amusement park. Monday, September 2 marked Family Day, sponsored by Desjardins and “dedicated to creating unforgettable memories for families.” From 10:30 am to 5 pm, children 10 and under enjoyed family-friendly activities and live shows. In the evening, eventgoers watched multimedia shows and fireworks.
The hot air balloons evening flights, the clear stars of the show, were scheduled to take place every evening around 6:30 pm, weather permitting. This year, hot air balloon rides cost $395 pre-tax. It was also possible for eventgoers to gain access to the festival grounds around 6 am from Friday to Monday to watch the hot air balloons take off.
Photo caption
Photo #1: Gatineau’s annual summer send-off event was back for its 37th edition from August 29 to September 2 at La Baie Park. (DD) Photo: Courtesy
On August 28, the Vieux-Gatineau’s business association – AGAP – inaugurated Placette Main, a temporary outdoor public space conveniently located between 348 and 368 Main Street. The lively square equipped with picnic tables, benches, lawn chairs, books and craft materials will house a total of 34 free activities between September and October, proving the fast-approaching fall is no excuse to lock yourself inside.
“For several years, we’ve been looking for a place to liven up Main Street. We wanted people to be able to come together and make the street their own, to live on it and also to support the businesses present by stimulating local purchasing,” said Daniel Baril, AGAP president.
Bringing this project to life was no easy feat, requiring countless consultations with residents, associations, nearby business owners and City officials in its early days. AGAP worked closely with the City of Gatineau who authorized the two-month-long road closure where the square is located and donated $43,500 and $20,000 as part of their Dynamization and Building Safer Communities Funds. Later, they were tasked with hiring instructors, artists, storytellers and game masters to animate the space weekly alongside artists and layout designers to bring the space to life. Despite the numerous public consultations over the last year, some residents still felt concerns about the possible disturbances that come with the space, notably noise past business hours, the inconvenience of the Main Street closure and the ethical use of the space after-hours. Baril is adamant about appeasing these concerns.
“We are aware that the temporary closure brings with it certain challenges for nearby businesses and residents, but speeding issues, the proximity of the school corridor and increasing acts of vandalism prompt us to take action to encourage preventive appropriation of the ambient street by the population, customers and businesspeople, with a view to allowing safe gathering.”
This is a pilot project, he said, adding that residents will be invited to complete a survey later in the season to assess where AGAP went wrong and what they got right.
From September to October, Placette Main will host activities for all ages weekly, except in the event of rain at which point all activities are subject to cancellation. Activities will vary from one day to another to reach the largest possible audience. The pilot project will culminate in two months at AGAP’s October 27 Halloween party, after which Placette Main will close for the season.
The full programming for all 34 activities can be found on AGAP’s Facebook page. A condensed list featuring recurring activities in September and October can be found below:
Wednesdays: “Casse la croûte avec…” Business owners, local workers and telecommuters have the chance to go out, buy a meal nearby or bring their own lunch and attend one of the eight speed-networking lunch events. Each week a new company will come and present their product or services, bringing a small gift or treat for attendees. These events will be held over the lunch hour between 11:30 am and 1 pm. A list of the organizations to present will be released on AGAP’s Facebook page.
Thursdays: Every other Thursday starting on September 12, families and friends are invited to join Les Dés Agréables for board games night from 6 to 8 pm.
Saturdays: On Saturday mornings, Carol-Ann Crépeau and Natacha Gargantiel will offer guided outdoor yoga sessions starting at 10 am. While yoga mats will not be provided, childcare will be during each hour-and-a-half session. Children will either be entertained by storyteller Marc Gauthier or by one of the four art workshops offered by Deux Regart. Dress according to the weather.
On four Saturday evenings, Placette Main will come alive with Claude Grenier dancing and singing to the rhythm of well-known songs from 6 to 8 pm.
The rest of the time, Placette Main will be an open space for leisure, work or socializing. If you wish to host an activity or event, AGAP is open to suggestions written in the special booklet in the square.
Photo caption
Photo #1: Collaborators and partners of the Placette Main project with the calendars of activities for the months of September and October. (CR) Photo: Christian Rochefort
OUTAOUAIS: As part of their recent New Horizons for Seniors program, the federal government is offering up to $25,000 in financial assistance toward the creation of community projects addressing elder isolation. Loisir Sport Outaouais (LSO) is calling on the Pontiac community to propose initiatives they can submit funding applications for. Normand Veillette, LSO development agent, is tasked with helping residents prepare their funding applications until the September 14 deadline.
“The objective of this program is to get seniors out of isolation and ensure they’re integrated in the community’s rural and urban development,” he said, noting the key is ensuring seniors socialize while staying active and stimulated. Yoga, pétanque and arts and crafts workshops are examples of ideas suitable for pitching according to Veillette, but he stresses that residents can and are encouraged to go further.
“LSO is tasked with public leisure, but ideas can go further than that,” he said, encouraging Pontiac residents to help seniors acquire new skills. “You can hold training on financial fraud prevention and how to be wary of scams or help seniors with technology like how to write an email, how to do their taxes or create a budget.” Veillette told the Journal.
Due to a limited budget, not all proposed initiatives will receive financial assistance. Veillette assumes activities that require seniors to leave their home daily and those catered to English-speaking communities of the Pontiac are more likely to be approved. Linguistic minorities struggle more with isolation, increasing their need for community. The same applies to people with reduced mobility or with a handicap. “Facilities [are needed] for people with disabilities and reduced mobility, so municipalities can think about that too,” he said adding residents should refrain from pitching activities already offered through non-profits or municipal funding.
Pontiac residents who submit an application may also potentially be signing up to oversee, organize and run the activity for seniors. Online applications can be filed through the Canada.ca website until September 14. Veillette can be reached at 819-983-1745 or nveillette@urlso.qc.ca for more information on funding applications.
Tired of staring at four walls or your phone screen over your lunch hour? There may be a solution to that.
AGAP will launch a series of lunchtime networking events for workers and entrepreneurs held from noon to 1:30 pm every Wednesday in September and October. The “Break Bread” initiative will be the first of a chain of activities held at Placette Main, a temporary outdoor public space between 348 and 368 Main Street. The new square’s inauguration will take place at 11:30 am on August 28, when AGAP will reveal the rest of the programming intended for the space.
Much like other speed-networking formats, the concept for the “Break Bread” lunch events is simple. Local professionals are invited to bring or buy a lunch and make their way to Placette Main, where they will be greeted by the entrepreneur of the week who will briefly present their services or products. These concise presentations will be accompanied by a little incentive such as a free tester of their products, promotional material or coupons to be used at their business. The lunch is designed as an opportunity to meet and connect with other professionals while supporting local businesses, so there will be plenty of room for light conversations following the presentations.
“It’s a great way to get the word out about your company and to network at the same time,” AGAP GM Pauline Bouchard said in a press release on Wednesday.
There are no costs involved for entrepreneurs or locals coming to have lunch. The only requirement is booking a time slot in order to present on a Wednesday in September or October. Additionally, businesses that wish to present must be AGAP members.
So far, September 4 and October 23 are the only reserved slots, leaving room for six more interested entrepreneurs. Those wanting to book a lunch hour can do so by emailing info@vieux-gatineau.com.
Parents, children and school staff across Quebec are preparing for what may be a stressful school year as Bernard Drainville, Minister of Education, announces that 5,704 teachers are still needed, a week before the start of classes. Friday morning’s assessment revealed that 1,406 full-time and 4,298 part-time teaching positions still needed to be filled for the 2024-25 school year. A worrisome figure that still marks a small victory for the education sector seeing as the ongoing shortage of teachers and personnel has dropped 33 per cent compared to this time last year.
The need for nearly 3,700 teachers across the Quebec public school network can be linked to the projected 20,000 new students starting classes this year. An 80 per cent increase in school enrollment related to immigration, according to the Ministry.
The government’s response to the penury manifested in reviewed collective agreements for teaching staff. The most important change requires all teaching positions, which could previously be assigned up to a few days before the start of classes, to be allocated by August 8. No assignment changes will be possible past this date. The 20-day window will allow students and parents to familiarize themselves with teachers who will now have ample time to prepare for their first day.
“The changes made for this new school year are part of the recovery operation that has been carried out since our arrival. It requires everyone to review their ways of doing things, and I am aware of it. That said, I am convinced that these changes will help improve the situation in the coming years,” says Drainville.
Additionally, major increases have been brought to teachers’ salaries, which will now start at $65,352 as an incentive to fill a maximum of positions. Class support resources and financial incentives for retired teachers are also part of the new collective agreements. In signing, educators agree to a handful of changes to ensure a “smooth and stable school year.”
“The objective is to have a more stable and above all more humane back to school for children, parents and all our staff. The portrait we have today shows that there are always challenges. However, there are still a few weeks left before the next school year and I am convinced that by working together, we will be able to find the necessary solutions. The priority that must guide us all is the success of our children. I would also like to thank all the people involved in this new process, including the school principals. Their contribution is essential.”
The International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) hosted the Miami Grand Prix’s fifth edition at the Hyatt Regency from August 16 to 18.
Team Canada was represented by two Gatineau bodybuilders, Lanyck Rouleau and Jo-Annie Fu, who qualified in late May following their performance at the André Maillé Classic Championships in Ottawa. Fu’s first-place title in the Bikini Class A category in Ottawa allowed her to advance to the Miami competition, while Rouleau earned his spot after coming in first place in the All-Categories Classic Bodybuilder and the Junior Classic Bodybuilder categories.
The international competition was a first for the two bodybuilders. The experience allowed each athlete to be noticed on a bigger stage while getting one step closer to obtaining their IFBB Pro Cards (an elite accreditation in the bodybuilding world which allows athletes to pursue a genuine career in bodybuilding by earning income through competitions).
Jo-Annie Fu came in fourth place in the women’s Bikini Class A category, bringing a shining medal home from her first international competition to her club in Aylmer, Florida Fitness. Her coach Ken took to Facebook to congratulate her on Tuesday, stating he was extremely “proud of her accomplishments this season” and pleased that “Florida Fitness was well represented at the Miami Grand Prix” by both athletes. While Rouleau did not place in Miami, his track record this season has been nothing short of impressive and he was named Audience’s Favorite Athlete by the IFBB Quebec-Ontario.
Fu, who also won second place in both the Bikini Novice and Bikini Open categories at a competition in Ottawa just a month ago, is now qualified to compete at CPA Pro Qualifier Shows.
Photo cap: Gatineau bodybuilder Jo-Annie Fu posing with coach Ken and fellow bodybuilder Kim following her win at the André Maillé Classic Championships in Ottawa. (DD) Photo: Courtesy of Florida Fitness Aylmer via Facebook.
Parents, children and school staff across Quebec are preparing for what may be a stressful school year as Bernard Drainville, Minister of Education, announces that 5,704 teachers are still needed, a week before the start of classes. Friday morning’s assessment revealed that 1,406 full-time and 4,298 part-time teaching positions still needed to be filled for the 2024-25 school year. A worrisome figure that still marks a small victory for the education sector seeing as the ongoing shortage of teachers and personnel has dropped 33 per cent compared to this time last year.
The need for nearly 3,700 teachers across the Quebec public school network can be linked to the projected 20,000 new students starting classes this year. An 80 per cent increase in school enrollment related to immigration, according to the Ministry.
The government’s response to the penury manifested in reviewed collective agreements for teaching staff. The most important change requires all teaching positions, which could previously be assigned up to a few days before the start of classes, to be allocated by August 8. No assignment changes will be possible past this date. The 20-day window will allow students and parents to familiarize themselves with teachers who will now have ample time to prepare for their first day.
“The changes made for this new school year are part of the recovery operation that has been carried out since our arrival. It requires everyone to review their ways of doing things, and I am aware of it. That said, I am convinced that these changes will help improve the situation in the coming years,” says Drainville.
Additionally, major increases have been brought to teachers’ salaries, which will now start at $65,352 as an incentive to fill a maximum of positions. Class support resources and financial incentives for retired teachers are also part of the new collective agreements. In signing, educators agree to a handful of changes to ensure a “smooth and stable school year.”
“The objective is to have a more stable and above all more humane back to school for children, parents and all our staff. The portrait we have today shows that there are always challenges. However, there are still a few weeks left before the next school year and I am convinced that by working together, we will be able to find the necessary solutions. The priority that must guide us all is the success of our children. I would also like to thank all the people involved in this new process, including the school principals. Their contribution is essential.”
On Monday, the QLP’s idea box, the National Policy Committee proposed that the province adopt a written Quebec Constitution. One that, according to Julie White and Antoine Dionne Charest, both members of the party’s policy commission, will “unify” Quebecers while addressing “their daily concerns.”
“Regardless of their [values], orientations or language, this is a project to affirm Quebec within Canada,” co-chair Dionne Charest told the Pontiac Journal. “We want it to be a project that unites Quebecers, all Quebecers.”
The ongoing debate regarding the need for a written provincial constitution is nothing new. Ideas of a Quebec Constitution have been floating around since the 1960s. It was the event in April 1982, when Quebec refused to sign the Canadian Constitution, that sparked different views among political leaders. Since then, some have pushed for the province to become independent, while others have supported stronger connections with Canada. In 2017, the province attempted to open a dialogue to review the Canadian Constitution, but to no avail.
The QLP says its renewed interest in the proposal of a constitution comes as a response to policies of the governing Coalition Avenir Québec and of the Parti Québécois, who plan to “separate us from Canada.” Today, they hope to take matters into their own hands by offering Quebecers “a constitution that allows us to affirm who we truly are, with our language, our civil law, and the powers of the Quebec government,” they said in a proposal video released Monday. With the adoption of a written constitution, the party is proposing to affirm the rights of the English-speaking community, particularly in health and education, but also those of immigrants by putting in place provisions on immigration that would clarify Quebec’s policy on integration.
For Dionne Charest, son of former Quebec Liberal premier Jean Charest, this initiative should’ve come much sooner as a “protection of the rights of the Anglophone community.”
“I would go so far as to say that, if Quebec had had a written Quebec Constitution that enshrined the rights of the Anglophone community to services and education in English, the government would not question the autonomy of English school boards as it has, or the right to services in English across the province.”
Regardless of what actions the party deems should have been taken then, they can only move forward. Their next step will come in November.
“The first thing to do as a political party is to agree on the idea of a constitution,” Charet said. “We’ve just proposed to our members and Liberal activists to open a discussion on the draft of the constitution, and we’ve launched a campaign to promote the proposed constitution. [This] will take us through November 2024, where QLP members will be able to vote on the project.”
Quebec isn’t the only province looking to create its own constitution. British Columbia has already paved the way, standing as the only province utilizing its right to a written provincial body of laws. Other provinces, such as Alberta with its Bill of Rights and now Quebec, are still in limbo.
“I think there’s a desire for a new form of federalism that respects provincial autonomy,” said Dionne Charest. “You know, the relationship between the provinces doesn’t just go through Ottawa. The provinces have relationships with each other. Canada’s cohesion depends first and foremost on the provinces. They are the ones who provide the basic services to citizens, the day-to-day management of this country. It’s not the federal government that does it; it’s the provinces and the provinces only.”
If adopted, the Quebec Liberal Party’s policy commission says the written constitution would protect the rights of Anglophone and immigrant residents in Pontiac and across other French-majority towns in Quebec. What’s more, Dionne Charest believes that if Quebec makes the move and does it well, the initiative could inspire other provinces to seek their autonomy through written constitutions.
As part of their recent New Horizons for Seniors program, the federal government is offering up to $25,000 in financial assistance toward the creation of community projects for elders. Loisir Sport Outaouais (LSO) is now calling on the Pontiac community to come to them with initiatives that will allow them to submit applications for funding. Normand Veillette, development agent at LSO is tasked with helping residents prepare their funding applications until the September 14 deadline.
“The objective of this program is to get seniors out of isolation and to ensure they’re integrated into communities’ rural and urban development,” he said.
The key is ensuring seniors are socializing while staying active and stimulated. Yoga, pétanque and arts and crafts workshops are examples of ideas suitable for pitching, according to Veillette, but he stresses that residents can and are encouraged to go further.
“I know that Loisir Sport Outaouais is tasked with public leisure, but it can also be projects outside of leisure,” he said, encouraging Pontiac residents to help seniors acquire new skills. “You can hold trainings on financial fraud prevention and how to be wary of scams, or help seniors with technology like how to write an email, how to do their taxes or create a budget.”
Naturally, due to a limited budget, not all initiatives that are pitched will receive financial assistance. Veillette’s assumption is that the activities that require seniors to leave their home daily and those catered to English-speaking communities of the Pontiac are more likely to be approved. As a linguistic minority, their struggle to get out of isolation is increased, which emphasizes their need for community. “Pontiac is favoured by its economic vitality and linguistic minority, because there are many anglophones in a large francophone margin in Quebec.” The same rule applies to people with reduced mobility or with a handicap. “We often forget that there are facilities for people with disabilities and reduced mobility, so municipalities can think about that too,” he said, adding residents should try to refrain from pitching activities that are already active through NPOs or municipal funding.
Pontiac residents who apply may also potentially be signing up to oversee, organize and run the activity for seniors. If their pitch gets picked up they will also be the first point of contact with the funding agency. Online applications can be filed through the Canada.ca website until September 14. Veillette, who can be reached by calling 819-983-1745 or by emailing nveillette@urlso.qc.ca for more information on funding applications, stresses the importance of this initiative for seniors.
“We must aim to hire professionals who will help seniors to blossom and make a difference for them.”
