PUBLIC – Minutes of the Gatineau City Council committee-of-the-whole meeting held in the committee room of the Maison du citoyen, 25 Laurier Street, Gatineau, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., at which were present,

Recommendation

The executive committee approved by majority the recommendation: CP-EMR-2025-002 Mandate the municipal administration to table a bylaw establishing an assistance program for excess waste, specifically aid equivalent to one excess-waste tag per collection for individuals with a medical condition that affects their waste generation and for low-income large families.

A question and comment period took place.

Councillor Steve Moran expressed satisfaction with the recommendation, noting the years of work on this file. He believes the proposed formula will meet the needs of a vulnerable clientele at little cost to the City. He also noted that 85% of Gatineau residents agree with such a measure.

Councillor Mario Aubé is also in favor of the proposed change. However, he has questions regarding acceptable medical conditions and recognized health professionals. He asked if this analysis would be performed by service counter clerks. Mr. Aubé also questioned the possibility of resale. Communications will be important to properly reach the people concerned. Regarding the types of medical conditions, Ms. Annie-France Major mentioned that examples are indicated in the bylaw and that it will not be up to the clerk to have this discretionary power. Verifications will be made regarding recognized health professionals. Additional information was provided by Me Benjamin Beauchamp. Regarding possible abuse, Ms. Chantal Marcotte gave examples of past situations, adding that these are isolated cases. Me Beauchamp added that the bylaw includes penal provisions. Regarding communications, Ms. Major mentioned that information will be disseminated on the website and in service centers. The City will also communicate with organizations that work with vulnerable clienteles.

Mr. Aubé asked if a response would be given on the spot or if analyses would have to be carried out beforehand. Clarifications were provided by Ms. Marcotte and Me Beauchamp to the effect that clear instructions will be given to the clerks.

Councillor Marc Bureau asked what explains the delay in this file and how many households have been using extra tags regularly since 2019. Regarding the delay (four years), Ms. Marcotte provided information on the accommodation made at the beginning to allow for an assessment of whether there was a real problem and its scale. A second legal analysis was also required. Time finally allowed for the addition of jurisprudence to this file. Regarding the number of tags, Ms. Major mentioned that 1 to 2% of households currently use tags.

Councillor Mike Duggan mentioned that the costs seem reasonable and he appreciates the options presented. He asked if it would be possible to have an update on the program during the 2026 budget study. Also, to help track potential abuse, Mr. Duggan asked if the tags would have a distinction, while still limiting stigmatization. Ms. Marcotte confirmed that an update would be possible, but that only three months of data would be available next autumn. Ms. Marcotte mentioned that the tags will not be different.

Councillor Edmond Leclerc believes that the program does not address the main problem; he believes that an additional bin would be the best measure for the vulnerable clientele. He added that such a bin would not identify vulnerable clienteles. Mr. Leclerc added that we must offer a service adapted to needs.

Councillor Daniel Champagne is in favor of the recommendation. He added that these are exceptional measures that meet the needs of vulnerable people. Mr. Champagne would be concerned if the recommendation had been the addition of a bin, considering the City's efforts and excellent results in residual materials management. He would not want a step backward in this regard. The recommendation aims to offer support to the families concerned while meeting their needs.

Councillor Anik Des Marais confirmed that the City has excellent results in residual materials management. As for bags, they are opened by vermin when compostable materials are present. Ms. Des Marais finds the steps people will have to take to obtain extra tags complicated. She would like the process to be simplified, considering the possible difficulties in obtaining a medical recommendation. She also asked if it would not be possible to apply online in a secure manner. Regarding a possible declaration, Ms. Marcotte mentioned that this possibility had been analyzed, but that a fear remained regarding false declarations (possible loss of control). For online applications, there is a personal information protection issue. An evaluation could be done in a year to see possible options.

Councillor Gilles Chagnon thanked the services for the presentation and the openness shown. He asked if support had been evaluated for families with young children in diapers. Ms. Marcotte mentioned that the City's power only allows for helping vulnerable clienteles (disadvantaged individuals or those in need), which was confirmed by Me Beauchamp.

Councillor Steven Boivin mentioned that the program targets two types of clientele. He gave the example of a situation in a rural sector where bags are ripped open by animals. The person concerned would like to have access to an additional bin, which they would pay for. He believes that the proposed program does not meet certain specific situations. Mr. Boivin therefore wishes to propose the 2nd bin option, seconded by Mr. Leclerc. A vote will be held for this purpose following the interventions requested on the amendment.

Mr. Bureau adheres to the proposed program due to the residual materials management plans in place at the City for many years. The City is first in Quebec due to the measures put in place, of which he cites a few examples. He believes it would be a bad message to citizens to offer a 2nd bin and is convinced that the program will meet a majority of situations.

Regarding waste management at the City, Mr. Duggan highlighted the impressive work that has been done. He trusts the administration's recommendation and will vote in favor.

On the amendment, Mr. Champagne mentioned that he is not qualified to provide advice to citizens, noting that the City has experts for this purpose. He does not wish to support the amendment and believes that the response to exceptional situations will come from the support offered by the services for residual materials management.

Councillor Jocelyn Blondin believes that the services have the capacity to evaluate specific cases. He believes that the City must support the elderly to promote aging in place. He will support the amendment for this reason.

Councillor Steve Moran will request the rejection of this amendment, not knowing its impacts (delays, costs, etc.). The analysis carried out by the administration is good, but we must remain open to improvements for the coming years. However, it is essential to be able to deploy a first measure quickly, as provided for in the proposed program.

Councillor Denis Girouard asked if there is no possible compromise, bins and tags, for a return to council later. Mr. Boivin mentioned that this new request could be presented following the vote on the amendment.

The vote was requested by Councillor Steven Boivin, seconded by Councillor Edmond Leclerc.

The vote is 16 against, 4 for. The recommendation will be presented to the municipal council as proposed by the executive committee.

The Mayor emphasized that the discussion must remain open to stay aware of needs. She mentioned that it is important to highlight that this is good news today for vulnerable clienteles. She added that the services are doing excellent work, making a difference in service to citizens and in the results obtained in residual materials management.