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, May 27, 2025, at 11:03 a.m., at which were present, Ms.

2. 2024-2025 Snow Removal Operations Report

Recommendations

CP-TP-2025-01 Accept the filing of the winter operations report – 2024-2025 Season

CP-TP-2025-02 Continue and enhance the winter parking pilot project on one side of the street only, as proposed.

Discussion

A question and comment period took place. Councillor Steven Boivin informed members that the resolution will be addressed at the municipal council meeting. Regarding the items presented, Councillor Catherine Craig-St-Louis thanked the department for the work performed. She praised the improvements presented on pages 27 and 28 regarding service enhancements. She expressed optimism for phase 2. Regarding page 29, Ms. Craig-St-Louis recalled discussions held in committee, particularly concerning bike paths, and requested that these discussions continue. Regarding page 30, she emphasized the importance of communication and the dissemination of evaluation criteria. She asked whether the name "pilot project" should remain.

Regarding street snow blowing, Councillor Jean Lessard mentioned issues with school corridors, citing an example. He believes some narrower corridors should be prioritized. Mr. Lessard also proposed that one side at a time could be cleared on narrower streets during snow blowing to allow for more fluid traffic. For the streets proposed in phase 2, he is in agreement regarding the streets in his district. Mr. Boivin reminded members that specific cases could be discussed in sector caucuses.

Councillor Daniel Champagne highlighted the contribution of the interactive map, for which he received many positive comments. On the question of snow accumulation thresholds, Mr. Champagne noted that teams are always in the field regardless of the amount of snow. He suggested this information should be communicated differently. Mr. Champagne also praised the pilot project but believes the analysis must be deepened to verify the real impact versus parking capacity in the sector. The presentation demonstrated that decisions made in recent years have been positive.

On page 27, Councillor Edmond Leclerc returned to the enhancement of service levels for sidewalks. He mentioned that this small element has a big impact on citizens and that it is important to offer the same level of service to people who travel on foot. This council decision is also positive for people with reduced mobility. He praised the courage of the municipal council in this regard and looks forward to the policy being modified accordingly.

Councillor Jocelyn Blondin noted that the results were positive this year and that he even received congratulatory emails, particularly for the sidewalks. He is proud of the actions taken and thanked the teams. For phase 2, follow-ups will be done in sector caucuses.

Mr. Mario Aubé requested that congratulations be passed on to the teams. He asked if the new proposed streets are based on the same criteria. He also asked if there is an existing mechanism at 311 to sort "real" requests that correspond to an issue that must be addressed. Regarding the interactive maps, Mr. Aubé appreciates the service but noted that people would like to know when their street will be cleared. He asked if such a measure would be possible, particularly to allow for the removal of vehicles to facilitate snow removal. On this question, Mr. Desjardins reviewed the operations carried out (3,000 km, 150 operators, etc.): decisions are made that sometimes change routes in response to needs and issues. He would not want false expectations to be created, as it would require significant logistics. It would be possible to see if general timelines could be communicated, but he would not want there to be more dissatisfaction in the event of changes. Regarding criteria, Mr. Lapointe mentioned that the phase 1 streets will be maintained and that the same criteria were used for the streets proposed in phase 2. On the question of requests, Mr. Lapointe mentioned that it is difficult to answer, as some are resolved before they can even go to verify the issues raised.

Councillor Steve Moran mentioned having also received congratulatory emails. Communications have also been improved, as has the availability of the interactive map. Regarding the improvement of service levels, this is a good step forward. He highlighted the contribution of Ms. Murray regarding this request for enhancement, which improves citizen mobility. For parking, citizens in his sector were satisfied with the measures put in place for the streets targeted in phase 1. He will submit comments for the streets proposed in phase 2 in sector caucuses. He would also like a report on the Politique de viabilité hivernale (Winter Viability Policy) to allow for discussions on certain issues and challenges. He would also like priority snow removal around daycares, as this irritant is regularly raised.

For the pilot project, Councillor Anik Des Marais is eager to see how it went in densely populated neighborhoods, considering the lack of parking spaces. She mentioned having been approached on this matter many times and that citizens have different opinions on this file. She would also like to know how snow removal operations went with the new method of residual materials collection. Ms. Des Marais also asked what the best vision is for snow removal on bike paths. Regarding residual materials, Mr. Desjardins mentioned that there were many meetings beforehand with the Service de l'eau et des matières résiduelles and that there was great collaboration from citizens. Follow-ups were done with the contractor regarding bins left on the sidewalk. Everything went relatively well, thanks to the collaboration of citizens. Mr. Desjardins provided explanations on the grooming done on bike paths, mentioning that complete snow removal is preferable. Mr. Lapointe added that the climate in Gatineau is specific regarding applicable methods.

Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette thanked the teams for the work performed, highlighting the efforts made and the positive results obtained. She mentioned that the snow removal center is impressive and that the Gatineau model is watched by other cities.

CP20250527-P2 Overhaul of the Support Program for Cultural Organizations

Introduction by Councillor Isabelle N. Miron. Presentation by Ms. Sonia Blouin, accompanied by Mr. Yess Gacem.

The objective of the presentation is: • to adopt the new Support Program for Cultural Organizations; • to approve its financial enhancement during the 2026 budget review.

Presentation Plan:

1. Current situation;
2. Cultural support at the city;
3. Desired situation;
4. Impacts and benefits;
5. Timelines;
6. Communication – Information;
7. Recommendations.

The Commission des arts, de la culture, des lettres et du patrimoine recommends to the municipal council (meeting of April 30, 2025):

CACLP-2025-01 • to adopt the new Support Program for Cultural Organizations; • to authorize the Service des arts, de la culture et des lettres to implement the new program.

Recommendations

CP-ACL-2025-01 Adopt the new Support Program for Cultural Organizations.

CP-ACL-2025-02 Authorize the Service des arts, de la culture et des lettres to implement the new program.

CP-ACL-2025-03 Mandate the Service des arts, de la culture et des lettres to proceed with the evaluation and continuous improvement of the program.

CP-ACL-2025-04 Authorize the treasurer to transfer the necessary sums to the operating budget of the Support Program for Cultural Organizations.

CP-ACL-2025-05 Authorize the treasurer to provide for a financial enhancement of $300,000 for the year 2026, $110,000 for the year 2027, and $240,000 for the year 2028, conditionally upon the approval of the funding during the 2026 budget review.

Discussion

A question and comment period took place. Councillor Steven Boivin reminded members that the recommendations other than those of the Commission will be brought to the attention of elected officials during budget week.

Councillor Louis Sabourin thanked Ms. Blouin for the presentation. He mentioned that culture is important to him and that he believes in financial support centered on the mission. He thanked the administration for listening to artists, who need funding.

Councillor Steve Moran congratulated the teams for the work performed as well as the process of including the community. He added that development and innovation represent a challenge, but that the revision of the Policy will allow for the emergence of new artists. The investments are important as they can stimulate the economy. There is historical underfunding in culture from partner organizations and the Outaouais must continue efforts to be recognized provincially.

Councillor Marc Bureau asked if the freeze on museum funding jeopardizes the regional museum project. He also wished to have clarifications on the Arts Council that could be put in place, and information was provided by Ms. Blouin. He recalled that the Cultural Policy was the first policy adopted by the City of Gatineau. Regarding the regional museum, Ms. Blouin explained the museum funding process and the deadlines prescribed to hope to receive funding.

Mr. Boivin reminded members that organizations were listened to regarding their requests and that this is what the Policy reflects in various respects. He also finds it interesting that the entire cultural chain can be funded. City funding often becomes a springboard for other sources of funding in a cultural ecosystem. The funding will now have to be defended during budget proceedings.

Councillor Isabelle N. Miron believes that we must not cut in culture, despite budgetary challenges.

Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette thanked Ms. Blouin for the presentation and confirmed that this is one of the actions of the Cultural Policy. We are responding to a need by listening to the community. The Commission's recommendations will be included in the next municipal council meeting.