MINUTES – PUBLIC – COMMISSION ON ARTS, CULTURE, LETTERS AND HERITAGE (CACLP)

Closed-door workshop

A closed-door workshop was held. The subject discussed was a reflection on the relevance of establishing a municipal arts council.

Resumption of the public meeting at 11:50 a.m.

Statutory item – Update on the Program for Support to Cultural Organizations (PSOC)

The update on the PSOC was presented by Sonia Bisson, project coordinator for the PSOC redesign – SACL, as part of a statutory item. At the last municipal council meeting, two stakeholders from the sector expressed their views on the relevance and importance of the PSOC process and the needs of the cultural sector. The financial question related to whether or not to increase the program's funding will be reviewed during the budget study period after the elections. The municipal council endorsed the result of the PSOC revision as presented.

Since its adoption on June 10, the Department has met with professional and cultural leisure organizations to present the new program and provide all necessary guides and information. Transition and support meetings are underway and scheduled with organizations between now and the fall. In parallel, updates to the online application portal are continuing. An information session will be organized in August for cultural organizations, closer to the submission deadline of October 2 at 4:00 p.m. It is expected that the online application portal will be open starting August 25. gatineau.ca

Finally, a call for applications will soon be launched on various platforms and networks to form a jury including cultural experts to evaluate support for professional organizations and cultural projects.

Gilles Parent left the meeting at 11:53 a.m. Quorum was lost. Gilles Parent joined the meeting at 11:54 a.m. Quorum was reached again.

Statutory item – Cultural infrastructure

The progress status regarding cultural infrastructure was presented in summary by Sonia Blouin, director of the SACL. It is recalled that this is high-level information and that additions to the document are highlighted in "blue" from one meeting to the next. The Department explained that the projects are underway and progressing well.

Regarding the Ateliers du Ruisseau, it was indicated that the organization is actively looking for a 'Plan B' for short-term needs. Regarding the Centre des arts de la scène, it was specified that following the results of the initial building studies, the organizations have shown an openness to integrating into another infrastructure. The Centre des arts de la scène is also actively looking for a 'Plan B' for short-term needs. Regarding La Filature, the consultation notice from the Service des biens immobiliers (SBI) targeted two lots: the City has designated one of them as a potential site to host the expansion. A meeting between the SACL and the organization will be organized soon to discuss the next steps. Funding efforts to extend the project office, whose funding is coming to an end, are underway for the Musée régional de l’Outaouais.

Finally, the Department informed the members that the position of infrastructure coordinator linked to the Cultural Infrastructure Plan is being staffed. At the initiative of the Musée régional de l’Outaouais (MRO), a second discussion workshop was held with organizations, focusing on major infrastructure and projects. The organizations are evaluating possibilities for resource sharing.

Varia

A subject was added at the beginning of the meeting to the Varia section concerning the Financial Aid Program of the Conseil du patrimoine religieux du Québec (CPRQ). It was explained that the suspension of this program by the ministère de la Culture et des Communications, which aims to support the preservation and enhancement of Quebec's religious heritage, including places of worship, presbyteries, and other religious buildings, is raising concerns about the future of many projects. This fund had allowed for the receipt, a few years ago, of more than $20 million for the restoration and conservation of buildings in the Outaouais (roofing, repairs, etc.). The fear of losing infrastructure was raised. gatineau.ca

On this subject, it was reported that the Ministry published a press release on June 17, 2025, indicating that the government of Quebec was launching a project regarding the modernization of the management approach for religious heritage. The press release mentions that work allowing for an update of the religious heritage management approach will be initiated soon. Requests are increasingly significant and public finances are limited. The current strategy was no longer viable. The goal is to reposition to better renew for future years. The Ministry representative indicated that if urgent work needs to be carried out, funds are reserved for this purpose. The heritage agreement program, which allows for the conclusion of heritage partnership agreements, has just opened and municipalities are invited to submit their needs (requests) by mid-July. If there are needs for places of worship or former places of worship, there would be a possibility to submit certain projects, which was not previously planned; this is a form of transition. The example of redevelopment projects was named. It is reiterated, however, that this situation must be monitored and that one must remain alert and sensitive to it. One of the concerns relates to delays.