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

6. Statutory item: Cultural infrastructure

The Department of Arts, Culture, and Letters presents a progress report on the main cultural infrastructure projects in the Gatineau territory.

The Lucy-Faris library is now open to the public. Although some furniture items are still awaiting delivery, all spaces are functional and usable. The Department highlights the success of the opening, notably the significant traffic and the very positive reception from the population since the opening.

Regarding the Guy-Sanche library, the Department provides an update on the progress of the architectural competition, which has now reached its final phase. It is indicated that an invitation for the presentation of the proposals from the three finalists, scheduled for June 1, will be sent to members shortly.

The Ateliers du Ruisseau recently took possession of their building. An open house day, held on April 11, was a great success. The preparation of plans and specifications is underway for the layout of the creative spaces.

For the Centre des arts vivants, the project is being reoriented toward a 'Plan B' to meet short-term needs. The Filature file is still under analysis at the ministère de la Culture et des Communications (MCC). The Musée régional de l’Outaouais also remains under analysis, both at the MCC and at the City.

Regarding the auditorium of the CÉGEP de l’Outaouais, the City is still awaiting follow-up from the CÉGEP regarding the proposed memorandum of understanding.

Finally, the Department provides an update on the cultural infrastructure plan, for which planning continues. An internal working committee has been set up. The project is on a horizon of approximately two years, at the end of which guidelines will be submitted to the municipal council.

During the comment period, the chair of the Commission mentions that the international opening of the architectural competition process was questioned. It is specified in response that this requirement stems from the rules of the ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation (MAMH), in order to comply with trade treaties to which Quebec is bound, and that the City has no room for maneuver in this regard.

7. Presentation – Collectif Chez Laurette

Séléna Beaumont-Demers joins the meeting via videoconference at 1:35 p.m.

The representatives of the organization Chez Laurette presented a cultural and community dissemination project located in the heart of downtown Buckingham. The project aims to create a place for meetings, exchanges, and inspiration for the community, through a diversified artistic program. The project includes:

• a modular performance hall (approximately 150 to 250 seats depending on the configuration),
• a recording and podcast studio,
• multipurpose community spaces intended for organizations, artists, and citizens,
• as well as a café, operated separately but complementarily.

The organization is incorporated as a non-profit (OBNL), with governance provided by a board of directors composed of professionals from the cultural, media, and entrepreneurial sectors. One of the project promoters is also the owner of the building, which, according to the organization, facilitates the realization of the project and reduces its costs.

The project's objectives are consistent with the guidelines of the City's Cultural Policy and Commercial Development Policy, particularly regarding downtown vitality, accessibility to culture, support for emerging artists, and collaboration with existing cultural actors.

A request for financial support of $300,000 was presented to the City, mainly for internal cultural infrastructure (technical equipment, layouts, and specialized furniture).

The opening of the venue is envisaged for the spring of 2027, conditional on the finalization of the financial package.

Clarification questions are asked regarding the target clientele and the steps related to a market study. It is also asked what the objective of the presentation is. It is answered that the presentation is for information purposes only. It is specified that the organization must continue its efforts with the City and submit an official request for financial aid. It is indicated that the Commission could be called upon, if necessary, to formulate a recommendation during a subsequent session, depending on the progress of the file.

The representatives of Chez Laurette leave the meeting at 2:25 p.m. A break is taken from 2:25 p.m. to 2:35 p.m.

9. Presentation – Revision of the event strategy

The objectives of the presentation are to present the process for updating the municipal event strategy and to obtain feedback on the proposal in order to improve the process. Sonia Lebel begins the presentation with a status report on the first event strategy of the City of Gatineau, in effect since its adoption in 2017. She presents the mandate and the proposed process as well as the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders.

It is announced that an inter-commission consultative workshop will be held to collect guidelines on the guiding principles, priorities, and structuring issues of the future strategy. The following bodies will notably be invited to participate:

• Table de concertation sur les événements (TCÉ)
• Commission des arts, de la culture, des lettres et du patrimoine (CACLP)
• Commission des loisirs, du sport et du développement communautaire (CLSDC)
• Commission du vivre-ensemble (CVE)
• Commission de développement économique (CDÉ)

The inter-commission session is scheduled for September 11, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A convocation will be sent shortly to the members of the Commission.

It is specified that the process will lead to the development of a new event strategy and an action plan, which will be submitted to the municipal council, followed by a revision of the support programs in line with the new guidelines.

Clarification questions are asked. It is emphasized that the revision of the event strategy aims to strengthen the alignment between culture and tourism. It is specified that the process is part of a comprehensive and forward-looking ten-year review, focusing on increased consultation between cultural, sports, tourism, and economic priorities.

11. Miscellaneous

11.1. Call for cultural projects of the EDC and acquisition of specialized cultural equipment

Julie Lacroix mentions that within the framework of the 2025-2027 Cultural Development Agreement (EDC), the City of Gatineau and the ministère de la Culture et des Communications announce the launch of a call for projects in two components, aiming to promote the development of and access to culture as well as to improve the material conditions of the Gatineau cultural community.

A first component, EDC Cultural Projects, has an envelope of $163,500 and aims to support initiatives in cultural mediation, cultural animation for seniors, innovations and new technologies, digital heritage offerings, and archive processing. Financial aid can reach 75% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $20,000.

A second component concerns the acquisition or renewal of specialized cultural equipment, with an envelope of $200,000, to support cultural creation, production, dissemination, and conservation. Financial aid can cover up to 80% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $40,000, for eligible organizations.

The project submission period is set from April 17 to May 27, 2026, at 4 p.m.

11.2. Support Program for Cultural Organizations (PSOC)

It is mentioned that the Department of Arts, Culture, and Letters (SACL) continues to improve the support offered to organizations and remains attentive to funding gaps between disciplines, in a context of transition and improvement of the PSOC. The results of the 2026 support are available online since April. A feedback survey for organizations will be launched in May to improve the program and its tools.