MINUTES – PUBLIC – SENIORS COMMISSION (SC) – 2nd meeting – March 30, 2026 – 1:30 p.m. to 4:04 p.m.

6. Prevention – Service de police de Gatineau (SPVG) – Presentation

A presentation titled "Prevention" is provided by Myriam Houde, head of criminology analysis and research, and Mathieu Tremblay, inspector at the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG). Informative in nature, the presentation aims to raise awareness of prevention actions (fraud) and available awareness tools. This is part of file 1 of the Seniors Commission's Work Plan, "Social Participation," which aims to monitor social issues affecting seniors and formulate recommendations to the municipal council from a perspective of inclusion and social participation.

The SPVG presents an overview of its prevention actions, recalling its vision: "A human police service, whose goal is proactivity and whose reason for being is the trust it inspires." It is specified that the Service adapts its interventions to different types of crime using several strategies, including the presence of dedicated police teams, the implementation of prevention programs, a more efficient patrol plan, and an intelligence-led policing approach.

Particular attention is paid to the prevention of fraud and cybercrime among seniors. It is explained that workshops are offered to partners working with seniors regarding fraud and elder abuse. The SPVG is also present at various public events, such as the Grand rendez-vous des aînés (organized by the Table des aînés de Gatineau), the Salon FADOQ 50+, and other community activities.

In addition to information kiosks and conferences, targeted tours are carried out in places frequented by seniors, including restaurants and pharmacies. Certain awareness tools have been developed, including leaflets, a video intended for staff of private seniors' residences (RPA), as well as various articles and information tools. Specific actions are also deployed as part of Fraud Prevention Month (March).

It is reiterated that prevention is everyone's business and that reporting remains essential. Citizens are invited to contact the SPVG via 9-1-1, the non-emergency number (819 243-0222), 311, or the online reporting platform "echo". The SPVG highlights the importance of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, and municipal services, as well as the central role of reporting to adjust prevention actions. The Service states it is available and open to collaborating with local organizations to adapt its interventions to the specific needs of the clientele.

Information tools are distributed for informational purposes.

Jacques Lemay joins the meeting at 1:45 p.m.

7. Steering Committee – Renewal of the Integrated Action Plan – Families, Seniors, and People with Disabilities – Presentation

The presentation is provided by Christelle Desforges, coordinator – community development at the Service des loisirs, des sports et du développement des communautés (SLSDC). The objective of the presentation is to obtain a recommendation from the Seniors Commission with a view to a resolution formalizing the establishment of the steering committee and the updating of the renewal process for the Integrated Action Plan (PAI) – Families, Seniors, and People with Disabilities.

This presentation is part of file 1 of the Seniors Commission's Work Plan, titled "Integrated Action Plan Families, Seniors, and People with Disabilities," which aims to contribute to the reflection on the orientations of the next PAI. It is recalled that the Integrated Action Plan as well as the Municipalité amie des aînés (MADA) recognition expire at the end of 2026. The City must also comply with legal obligations arising from the Loi assurant l’exercice des droits des personnes handicapées, including the adoption of an annual action plan and the filing of a report.

The mandate of the steering committee is presented. It consists in particular of supporting the update process of the Integrated Action Plan, ensuring compliance with the requirements related to MADA recognition and legal obligations concerning people with disabilities, contributing to the mobilization of citizens and local organizations, formulating recommendations, and proposing the next Integrated Action Plan before the end of 2026.

The composition of the steering committee is also presented. It brings together the chair of the Seniors Commission, representatives of community organizations, institutional partners, and citizens, to ensure a diverse representation of families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

The renewal process provides for the realization of a social diagnosis, the launch of which is imminent. This diagnosis is carried out in convergence with other processes, notably that of the PNHA, with the use of the same supplier. The diagnosis includes a statistical portrait, a portrait of local resources, as well as consultations with organizations and citizens. At this stage, the work focuses on the development of the statistical portrait and consultation tools.

It is specified that the discussion groups will be structured around the nine MADA fields of competence. A continuation of the work is planned for mid-May with an expanded steering committee.

The progress of the process is presented, including elements already highlighted during the first discussions of the steering committee, notably: the isolation of seniors, the conversion of regular housing into adapted housing, the loss of purchasing power, the disappearance of community newspapers, the need to better reach the very elderly, as well as the accentuation of vulnerability among people already identified as such.

The involvement of the SLSDC in the process is highlighted. The next steps are specified:

• April: holding of nine discussion groups;
• May: analysis of the data collected;
• June: identification of orientations, objectives, and collaborations;
• September: recommendation aimed at the adoption of the Integrated Action Plan 2027-2030.

The presentation concludes with the reading of the wording of the recitals and the recommendation submitted to the Seniors Commission to allow the official continuation of the process.

Recommendation CA-2026-02

CONSIDERING THAT

• The City of Gatineau is officially recognized by the government of Quebec as a Municipalité amie des aînés until the end of 2026;
• The City of Gatineau is subject to the Loi assurant l’exercice des droits des personnes handicapées en vue de leur intégration sociale, scolaire et professionnelle and that this Law requires municipalities to produce an annual action plan regarding people with disabilities;
• The council has mandated the Seniors Commission to act as the Municipalité amie des aînés monitoring committee;

The Seniors Commission (CA), during its regular meeting of March 30, 2026, recommends to the municipal council:

• To endorse the mandate and composition of the steering committee for the renewal of the Integrated Action Plan – Families, Seniors (Municipalité amie des aînés) and Disabilities, defined as follows:

Mandate:

• Support the update process of the Integrated Action Plan – Families, Seniors, and People with Disabilities;
• Ensure that the process respects the requirements of the Municipalité amie des aînés recognition and legal obligations regarding the integration of people with disabilities;
• Contribute to the mobilization of citizens and organizations in the territory;
• Propose the next integrated action plan before the end of the year 2026.

Composition of the steering committee:

• Jean Lessard, municipal councillor and chair of the Seniors Commission
• Chantal Lalonde, Table des aînés de Gatineau
• Julie Cool, Centre d’action bénévole Accès
• Monique Guindon, Centre Action Générations des Aînés de la Vallées-de-la-Lièvre
• Estelle Lussier, Regroupement des associations de personnes handicapées de l’Outaouais
• André Baril, Loisirs sport Outaouais
• Gabrielle Leclerc, Enfants de l’Espoir de Hull
• Camille Marcotte-Quijada, Naissance-Renaissance Outaouais
• Christine Charlebois, citizen with a disability
• Louise Villeneuve, senior citizen
• Kalula Kalambay, senior citizen
• Catherine Richard, Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO)
• Mélanie Anctil, CISSSO

It is proposed by Marc St-Amour Supported by Jean Lessard Adopted

8. Health status of the population aged 65 and over in the Outaouais – Presentation

The presentation is provided by Charles Tardif, planning, programming, and research officer, and Dr. Camille Paquette, both from the Public Health Department (DSP) of the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO). Informative in nature, the presentation aims to expose the main findings of the DSP report on the health status of people aged 65 and over in the Outaouais. This is part of file 2 "Social Participation" of the Commission's Work Plan, recalling that health is closely linked to the ability to participate fully in social life.

It is emphasized that the aging of the population is accelerating and that a new census will be published during the year, which will allow for a possible update of the data presented. In the local service network (RLS) of the Outaouais, it is mentioned that about a quarter of the population will be aged 65 and over, a trend that is accompanied by a marked growth of the 75 and over and 85 and over groups by 2041. It is also indicated that climate change will have specific impacts on the health and living conditions of seniors.

The presentation reports several statistical data illustrating the overall health of seniors. The majority of them perceive themselves to be in good or very good health and express a high level of satisfaction with their social life, estimated at about 9 out of 10. However, a significant proportion lives with chronic diseases, presents a high level of psychological distress, or faces a feeling of loneliness, despite a generally high declared social satisfaction. The main causes of death remain cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle habits constitute important issues, notably physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. It is specified that being active means, among other things, walking regularly.

Living conditions are also highlighted. Although average incomes in Gatineau are higher compared to other territories, significant gaps persist, notably between women and men, and certain contradictions are observed between declared health status and actual financial situation. Life expectancy, while an indicator, does not constitute the only criterion for analysis. Issues related to housing, food insecurity, and poverty are presented, particularly among people living alone or in vulnerable situations. Mention is also made of the growing linguistic diversity and its impacts on access to information and services.

Several programs and initiatives are presented, including the Réseau de sentinelles et d’éclaireurs as well as the PIEDS program, aimed at fall prevention. Examples of actions promoting healthy lifestyles and social participation are mentioned, such as Viactive, the Parc-cours-santé, adaptation of exercise parks for seniors to make them more accessible, volunteer actions, initiatives like the "bü verte" for refilling water bottles, etc. The importance of fostering environments conducive to aging in place, including local living environments, public spaces promoting socialization, accessible and affordable housing, as well as adapted and affordable public transport are put forward.

Several avenues for action are proposed, notably:

• Adapt interventions to the needs of seniors, particularly regarding access to information;
• Organize services and actions in a coherent manner to better meet needs;
• Act in an intersectoral manner on social norms and public policies affecting the aging population;
• Foster the resilience of aging individuals and their caregivers.

The importance of acting in concert is highlighted, notably through articulation with processes such as the PNHA and Vieillir en santé, deemed complementary. An approach by local service networks (RLS), focused on integrated local action for the senior (AIPPA), is presented as a method mobilizing tools, workshops, and concrete means of action. It is specified that the Vieillir en santé process integrates the determinants of health, home support, and relies on collaboration between the CISSSO, consultation tables, and local partners.