PUBLIC – Minutes of the meeting of the Gatineau City Council Committee of the Whole held in the committee room of the Maison du citoyen, 25 Laurier Street, Gatineau, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 9:05 a.m., at which were present,

Scientific Council: Priority Research Themes for 2024

Recommendations

Approve the four priority research themes for the year 2024, namely: Artificial Intelligence; Housing and Homelessness; Climate Change/Biodiversity Protection; and Smart Transportation and Sustainable Mobility.

Meeting Minutes

Councillor Jocelyn Blondin joined the meeting at 9:15 a.m. A question and comment period followed.

Councillor Anik Des Marais thanked the executive committee for adding the theme of climate change and biodiversity protection. She inquired about how the identified experts would contribute to this theme and requested further details regarding artificial intelligence. Ms. Ana Flavia Alves explained how the profiles of the Scientific Council members would be utilized, particularly through their professional networks. Regarding artificial intelligence, she mentioned that the needs of City departments would be identified to monitor developments and provide various responses to those needs.

Councillor Marc Bureau also thanked the executive committee for adding the climate change/biodiversity protection theme and expressed confidence in the work that could be accomplished.

Councillor Mike Duggan questioned the absence of an expert in economic analysis and asked if there were plans to eventually include an economist on the Scientific Council. Ms. Alves mentioned that the composition could be evolutionary, with explanations regarding potential ad-hoc links with other experts should the need arise. Mr. Duggan also asked what elements would eventually be presented to the municipal council to support their decision-making. Regarding operations and governance, Ms. Alves emphasized that adjustments would be made over time. The Scientific Council will not make decisions but will be able to influence them with the data presented. Ms. Alves also provided explanations regarding the recommendations that could be formulated for artificial intelligence.

Councillor Louis Sabourin raised a question regarding the operation of the Scientific Council and asked if the City's committees/commissions would be able to formulate questions for the Scientific Council in relation to the themes presented. Mr. Sabourin asked if all citizens, elected officials, and employees would be able to ask questions. Ms. Alves mentioned that everything would need to be adopted, depending on the availability of the scientists.

Councillor Isabelle N. Miron joined the meeting at 9:25 a.m.

Councillor Caroline Murray stated she was impressed by the composition of the Scientific Council, adding that it is good news and that the City is providing itself with the means to achieve its ambitions.

Councillor Mario Aubé wished to confirm that the themes would be presented for adoption on September 24, 2024, and asked what follow-ups would be conducted at the end of the year. He also asked how the municipal council would be able to use this data and to what extent its application would be mandatory. Councillor Steven Boivin invited Ms. Alves to answer the administrative question, noting that the political aspect belongs to the elected officials. Regarding the timeline, Ms. Alves mentioned that these are indeed the 2024 themes and that the next ones could only be adopted in the fall of 2025: it is an annual cycle. Mr. Aubé requested clarification on the presentations that would be made to the municipal council. Ms. Alves mentioned that there would be an annual report, but the idea is to provide information on an ongoing basis. Should themes still be relevant after one year, they could be renewed, also depending on available funding. Mr. Aubé reiterated his question regarding the use of data by the municipal council. Mr. Boivin mentioned that these would be expert recommendations, but that each elected official retains their discretionary power of decision.

Councillor Catherine Craig-St-Louis mentioned the seriousness of the tool presented. She also questioned the dynamic with the departments and the identification of themes. She does not want the Scientific Council's time to be wasted and understands that the file will be in continuous evolution.

Councillor Steve Moran highlighted the advantage of the Scientific Council, particularly for access to data, but also for the position of the UQO (Université du Québec en Outaouais) in this file. He asked if a collaboration exists with other cities for the scientific component. Ms. Alves explained that the City of Gatineau will be the first to appoint a Scientific Council, noting that others have appointed chief scientists within their organizations. She mentioned the existence of a provincial table of chief scientists and that our experts sit on it. She also mentioned a network set up by her department, to which 43 cities are members, to allow for exchanges related to this file.

Councillor Bettyna Bélizaire highlighted the contribution of the UQO and echoed Ms. Murray regarding the quality of the Scientific Council members. She mentioned that it would be interesting for the municipal council to be able to initiate needs and themes to ensure a response to reality. Ms. Bélizaire also mentioned that it will be important to take into account the lived experience of citizens in the analyses, and that this contribution must go beyond scientific data. Regarding the report, Ms. Bélizaire believes it would be interesting to know the date it will be presented.

Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette thanked Ms. Alves for the presentation and the process undertaken, noting that the City of Gatineau is the first to implement a Scientific Council. She mentioned that its role will be to enlighten decision-makers without substituting itself for the municipal council. The Mayor mentioned that it is an important tool that the City is acquiring. The members agreed with the recommendations presented.