MINUTES – PUBLIC – SENIORS COMMISSION (SC) – 1st meeting 2025 – January 30, 2025 – 9:01 a.m. to 11:48 a.m.

Public question period

Five people are attending the meeting. One person is registered for the public question period.

Intervention

Louise Villeneuve, citizen, Comité consultatif des résidents de l’Outaouais (CCR).

The intervention focuses on raising awareness among members of the Seniors' Commission regarding accessibility issues and the needs of seniors, particularly those with reduced mobility, in relation to waste management. The weight of bin lids, their location (too far), their identification (ideally by pictogram), and the lack of information and awareness among citizen or resident groups are identified and explained as issues. A detailed letter sent to the chair and the SLSDC will be filed and transmitted to the members. It should be noted that prior exchanges took place to properly support and guide Ms. Villeneuve in her request related to the Ville de Gatineau 311 service. The intervention was intended more as a reminder to raise awareness about the accessibility issues experienced by some seniors in Gatineau.

Exchanges or comments

The chair thanks Ms. Villeneuve for her participation in the public question period and explains that the best way to handle this request is to officially register a request via 311 so that a person from the Water and Residual Materials Service can discuss the concerns raised and offer support regarding this request. It is possible to request two smaller bins instead of one large one, for example. The use of the D-Tritus application to properly manage residual materials is also recalled. Leaflets could be made available upon request. The chair also informs Ms. Villeneuve that a cheat sheet of short and useful numbers exists in Gatineau and provides her with a copy. Mr. Lessard also offers his support, if needed. It is suggested to make the request via 311 for the organization of a meeting with a person from the relevant service. It is explained, however, that some of the concerns are under the management of the site manager, the OHO, including the accessibility of buildings or parking lots. A resource person from the SLSDC also specifies that it is possible to call the non-urgent SPVG service when a problem of unauthorized dumping of residual materials in an organization's containers is observed repeatedly, as described by Ms. Villeneuve. The request to have access to an information session and questions related to waste management can be addressed by request to 311 so that they can be addressed to the City.

Presentation: Building Safer Communities Fund – Information

El Mustapha Bahri, community development coordinator for the SLSDC of the Ville de Gatineau, presents the Building Safer Communities Fund. The objective is to inform members of the actions and initiatives underway in Gatineau as part of the Action Strategy to Counter Youth Violence.

Period of exchanges

General comments

Thanks are addressed to the presenter. Involvement of seniors in the project? Some members raise the importance of clarifying the link and the reasons why this presentation is made within the framework of the Seniors' Commission. The Service explains that this program helps contribute to safer communities for all, including seniors. The Fund and the initiatives deployed target an audience aged 7 to 35. However, seniors are found in the neighborhood, within families, or are involved in intergenerational activities. The Service explains that the objective is to demonstrate that the City is aware of current risk factors regarding youth crime and that it is working in collaboration with the community and the SPVG to intervene, prevent, and implement initiatives such as those presented, particularly in higher-risk sectors. The goal is for the entire community to feel safer and to be safer. Examples of success at Parc Renard and Parc Dupuis are highlighted. The perception of insecurity has changed a lot and the networking with the SPVG is happening naturally.

Outreach and recognition of the contribution of seniors

Members note that the realization of such a project will have a beneficial impact on the entire population. However, some members raise the concern that it is essential to integrate seniors into the project. There is questioning about the means to involve, include, and promote their commitment in the community, in this strategy. The benefits of intergenerational projects must be communicated more. Security issues, substance abuse, homelessness, and mental health issues are important for the entire community, including seniors, and must be addressed by all. It would be a priority to give a more important place to seniors and senior consultation bodies around the initiatives of this Fund and to demonstrate their contribution to the community. When seniors are more included in the project, their investment in time will increase. Other members add that there are different ways to mobilize seniors. The example of the TCARO project named L’intergénérationnel fait des étincelles is cited. Many other seniors are involved in intergenerational initiatives that have an impact on young people. The SLSDC is in full agreement with the various comments and orientations issued, takes note of them, and will add the notion of added value and the importance of senior involvement to future presentations.

Seasonality and location

A question is asked to find out if such initiatives also take place at other times during the year, including winter. Apart from the presence of park supervisors who can play a certain role in raising awareness, the Service explains that for the moment, the projects are concentrated during the summer period. It is envisaged to expand everything eventually. A member recalls that there are also security issues in shopping centers. The Service explains that given the fact that they are "private," the targeted spaces are concentrated for the moment at the park level. The question of social, but also commercial, diversity is nevertheless observed and analyzed within the framework of the Strategy.

Presentation: Road safety has no age - Information

The presentation 'Road safety has no age' is given by Évelyne Cazelais, community relations advisor for the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). The goal of the presentation is to inform members of the SAAQ's service offer regarding road safety for partners, citizens, the city, etc. Ms. Cazelais invites organizations to make a financial request for projects aimed at prevention and awareness of road safety. The financial request form can be found on the SAAQ website, under the financial contribution section. An offer of information sessions or conferences is also possible for organizations. The conferences can be intended for seniors, but also for their loved ones or caregivers.

Anne Desforges leaves the meeting at 11:28 a.m., quorum is maintained.

Period of exchanges

General comments

Thanks are addressed to the presenter.

Cessation of driving

Clarifications are requested to understand why a person loses their driver's license, sometimes. Is it possible to lose your license due to advanced age? Another issue raised is the fact that there is no awareness or support offered to people who must stop driving. A question is asked regarding the right to appeal a medical decision. The presenter explains that the reasons leading to the cessation of driving are diverse. It can be a cognitive problem, health conditions, or any condition that could lead to a serious consequence on the person's ability to drive. Age or aging is not related to the loss of a driver's license. On the other hand, Ms. Cazelais specifies that the police officer, during a stop, does not have access to the form detailing the senior's health. They do not have access to the reasons, but can read the clauses, for example, if the license is suspended. The self-declaration form for those 75 and over must be filled out and sent by mail to the SAAQ. It is mandatory and seniors receive a paper copy by mail near their birthday. At the age of 80, a statutory medical check is done. The documentation must be filled out and returned to the SAAQ. Subsequently, this statutory check takes place every two years. Regarding the possibility of appealing an SAAQ decision, a follow-up will be done and Ms. Cazelais will return with the necessary information to the Service. The cessation of driving is a difficult grief, especially for seniors.

Reporting or intervention

A member would like to know how to intervene with the SAAQ if a person notices a change in the deterioration of a person's health. First, the presenter explains that anyone can do their own self-assessment. Anyone can also report another driver to the SAAQ. This reporting can be done anonymously, online. This intervention is not legally mandatory. However, some people, including doctors, are sensitized to the importance of seeing to it by the SAAQ team. A report is proof of respect and love for a person because we care about them, their condition, and it is necessary to do so for them and for the public. The SAAQ has 30 days to receive the complaint and address it. It has the legal obligation to analyze the report and can require actions to be taken.

Driving mobility scooters

Following the cessation of driving, some seniors purchase a mobility scooter, even if they may have driving restrictions (for example, regarding vision). Clarification from a member is desired to fully understand the standards related to driving mobility scooters. According to some, there should be an assessment of the driving ability of people who use them. Road tests should be planned. The presenter explains that there is currently a pilot project on this issue. Suppliers have the responsibility to provide driving rules to buyers of mobility scooters.

Road safety record

A clarification is provided by Ms. Cazelais stating that people aged 65 and over are an underrepresented category in road accidents. Young people are mostly represented. Mandatory driving tests, for a segment of the population, regarding their age, would be against human rights. Furthermore, it is important to note that in road safety records, the elderly are more represented as victims and pedestrians, particularly in connection with accidents involving heavy vehicles.

Pedestrian safety

A member wishes to highlight the importance of respecting pedestrians and sharing the road. In Gatineau, the problem seems major, particularly in places where there are no structured crossings. The presenter explains that this prevention is addressed in information sessions. The message must be passed on to pedestrians and drivers. The principle of caution is required at all times. The important thing to advance this is to continue awareness. It is possible for the SAAQ to offer general public conferences, smaller-scale meetings, but also to collaborate and support prevention projects. A document is even available for seniors 65 and over. It will be sent to the Service.