"citizen participation"

Council mandates the administration to study the creation of 'sector assemblies' (assemblées de secteur) in Gatineau, modeled after neighborhood councils in Quebec City and Laval, to enhance citizen participation in municipal affairs.

This item presents the final report on updating the city's framework for how citizens participate in municipal decision-making processes.

Council mandated the administration to develop a plan by June 2025 for creating a Public Participation Office, implementing a right of initiative for public consultations, and deploying sector assemblies similar to those in Quebec City and Laval.

Council appointed two new citizen members (from Hull and Aylmer) and renewed the terms of several existing members for the third phase of the committee tasked with updating the city's framework for citizen participation.

This meeting of the Committee of the Whole focused on reviewing the city's public participation processes. Councillors and city staff discussed strategies to improve citizen engagement, address public skepticism, and ensure transparency in urban planning and municipal decision-making. The discussion emphasized the need for earlier public involvement in projects and better communication strategies to maintain public trust.