"Public Participation Office"

Council approved the text of a private bill to amend the City of Gatineau's Charter to create a Public Participation Office. This follows the failure to include these provisions in a previous provincial bill, necessitating a private bill to be presented to the National Assembly of Quebec.

Council mandates the administration to begin the process of amending the City of Gatineau Charter to create an independent Public Participation Office. The administration will also prepare the financial framework for this office for the 2026 budget cycle.

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.

The committee recommends establishing a new Public Participation Office to act as a neutral, independent body for managing public consultations, similar to models in other major cities.

The administration is tasked with returning to the committee by June 2025 with a detailed action plan, budget, and timeline for establishing the Public Participation Office.