MINUTES – PUBLIC – Seniors Commission – 4th meeting – October 3, 2024 – 9:08 a.m. to 11:47 a.m.

Filing and adoption of the 2023 report and 2024-2025 update of the Integrated Action Plan for Families, Seniors, and Persons with Disabilities – Presentation of highlights

Josée Marcil leads this presentation, which has two objectives: to present the 2023 report of the Plan d’action intégré (PAI) – Familles, aînés et personnes handicapées 2022-2026 and its 2024 update; and to obtain a recommendation from the Seniors Commission for the filing of the 2023 report and the 2024 update of the PAI.

The presentation is detailed as follows:

• Presentation objectives
• Context
• Legal obligations
• Gatineau, age-friendly municipality
• Highlights
• Progress status
• Recommendation

The plan presented meets the legal obligations of the City of Gatineau, which stem from the Loi assurant l'exercice des droits des personnes handicapées en vue de leur intégration scolaire, professionnelle et sociale (Québec). The completion rate of the various actions in the plan is 67.5%, which is excellent given that the plan continues until 2026.

Discussion period

Clarifications were requested regarding the criteria used to allocate the $2.5 million from the Community Development Support Framework. For example, it was asked if the amount is distributed uniformly among the different sectors. The allocation of funds is not done by sector but according to the requests submitted by associations. Traditionally, there are more organizations in Hull, for example, but overall the distribution by sector is quite equitable. Various support programs are available, notably for holding events, or for technical and professional support. The deadline to submit a request was October 2nd, and a presentation is scheduled for the plenary committee at the end of January 2025. The importance of making these funds known to the various associations was also highlighted, as some may not apply due to lack of knowledge. Community development officers are responsible for making the program known to organizations, so this communication must be effective.

The subject of friendly streets (streets for all designed and operated to allow safe access for all users of all ages and abilities) and the specific needs of seniors was also discussed. It was suggested to look at the example of school corridor planning and to see if specific improvements could be made for seniors on certain streets that are particularly used by them to reach certain services. One could think of priority snow removal, sidewalks accessible 365 days a year, and access ramps for wheelchairs. This is done by the City when work takes place on roads: improvements for non-sighted and mobility-impaired persons are taken into account, with the excellent collaboration of the organization Mobi-O. Regarding specific snow removal issues, it is recommended to report them to the City by contacting 311 and one's municipal councillor.

A proposal was made that, in the list of Gatineau bike paths, the locations of public accessible toilets be indicated. The City is currently geo-referencing the various infrastructures available in its parks (in the same way as skating rinks), so this should allow for the addition of the presence of toilets near bike paths. The same applies to identifying toilets accessible to disabled persons.

The chair thanks Josée Marcil for the presentation.

CA 2024-01 The Seniors Commission recommends that the municipal council accept the filing of the 2023 report and the 2024 update of the Plan d’action intégré – familles, aînés et personnes handicapées 2022-2026.

Proposed by Marc St-Amour Seconded by Jocelyn Blondin

Vulnerable and at-risk-of-exclusion seniors project - PNHA - Pan-Canadian / News on the phase I submission

Josée Marcil informs the Commission that the City has been invited to submit a project as part of component 2 of the program. Twenty organizations were solicited in Canada and we are the only city, just as we are the only organization in Quebec. We must submit our project by October 18, 2024; the analysis of the files will take place in November 2024 for a start of activities planned for December 2024.

We are talking here about possible funding of one million per year for the next five years, which would be used primarily for:

• The mobilization of a collective of partners;
• The implementation of an innovation laboratory to make Gatineau an inclusive city;
• The creation of a project support fund.

Thanks to all the partners who provided letters of support for this project and who expressed great interest in taking part in it.

Needs of seniors from ethnocultural communities - Highlights presented by TCARO

Patricia Gougeon leads the presentation. She first gives a brief overview of the mission and operating structure of the TCARO, and reminds that the organization represents the eyes and ears of Minister Bélanger in the Outaouais. She then presents the results of the consultation on the issues experienced by seniors from ethnocultural communities in our region. The objectives related to this consultation, in addition to identifying the issues, are to report on the impacts on seniors, to explore possible solutions, and ultimately to prioritize three issues on which to align efforts. These results will be transmitted to Minister Bélanger.

• Examples of issues faced by seniors from ethnocultural communities in the Outaouais:
  • Linguistic and cultural barriers
  • Nutrition (lack of knowledge of certain products distributed by food banks, therefore non-use)
  • Access to housing
  • Access to information (notably on services offered)
  • Isolation
  • Access to transport
  • Mistreatment

Discussion period

The importance of inviting organizations that group seniors to different events taking place in the community (in order to break down silos) is highlighted, for example, events organized as part of Black History Month. It is also necessary to ensure the creation of intergenerational bridges between seniors and youth. The issue of home support is important, because often seniors from cultural communities rely mainly on their close network; it can even be frowned upon to call on external services. There is therefore awareness-raising work to be done in this regard. We also note a lack of knowledge of neurocognitive disorders on the part of families ("it's normal that he has moments of confusion, grandpa is getting older"), which means that the senior will not have access to the care they would need. Offering free transport to seniors would allow breaking isolation and promoting autonomy, while representing an appreciable saving for seniors who have low or modest incomes. This could be considered by the Société de transport de l'Outaouais.

The importance of making links between commissions that deal with similar issues is highlighted. Ms. Gougeon mentions that she was invited to make the same presentation to the Commission du vivre ensemble. It is also recalled that inter-commission meetings are organized on a regular basis.