MINUTES – PUBLIC – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – 1st session — February 22, 2024 - 12:49 p.m. to 3:13 p.m.

4. Public question period

No one is registered for the question period. The chair reads a request from a citizen sent by email. The latter inquires about the measures taken by the City in the face of various restaurant closures. This person was informed that ID Gatineau is working to implement new initiatives to help Gatineau's commercial businesses. This organization recently hired a resource to travel the territory to meet with commercial businesses, including restaurants. The objective is to address their concerns, advise them, and direct them to the best resource, based on their needs and issues. A second resource is in the process of being hired. Finally, ID Gatineau offers a welcome-orientation service to all businesses in the territory. The contact information for the commercial business advisor has been provided.

5. Follow-up on previous meetings and file updates

The document CDÉ – Suivis des séances précédentes (CDÉ – Follow-ups from previous meetings) was sent to members before the meeting. Members' attention is drawn to certain subjects.

Support fund for non-profits (OBNL) supporting entrepreneurship

Thirteen applications were submitted as part of the call for projects. The selection committee recommended five projects to the municipal council totaling a sum of $341,430. The council approved the recommended projects at the meeting of December 5, 2023.

Gatineau Digital Innovation Zone Project

The project is well-received and is progressing well. Presentations are planned shortly for the adoption of recommendations to City authorities.

Global reflection on the development of industrial parks

A reflection is underway on the issue of specialized economic spaces. A call for tenders has been launched to assist the Bureau du développement économique (BDÉ) in its reflection on industrial development; the opening of bids is scheduled for today. This involves, in particular, evaluating the supply as well as current and future needs for land to be provided in terms of economic development; the City's role in the acquisition and sale of land; and the potential revision of the price of municipal land. The first two components have begun. The third component concerning prices could also be started soon and presented to the CDÉ.

6. Interim report on the 2021-2026 strategic plan and filing of the 2022-2023 CDÉ work report

The document Bilan intérimaire du plan stratégique 2021-2026 (Interim report on the 2021-2026 strategic plan) was sent to members before the meeting. The presentation aims to inform them about the progress of the strategic plan and its achievements. A lot of work has been accomplished over the last three years.

Adopted in December 2020, the 2021-2026 strategic plan is part of the desire to review ways of providing services to create conditions favorable to economic development. Defining the City's major strategic orientations in terms of economic development, this plan is accompanied by a budget envelope of five million over five years. This plan influences the biennial work plan of the CDÉ. The latter plays a role of oversight and support to the municipal council. For its part, the BDÉ supports the work of this Commission and ensures liaison with other services as well as ID Gatineau. Support measures (welcome, orientation, and accompaniment) and financing for businesses are delegated to ID Gatineau. Regarding the actions to be carried out by the BDÉ, 70% of the funds provided in the budget are committed as of February 2024.

A summary report of the three strategic orientations is presented:

1. Continue the work of affirmation-collaboration with Ottawa to strengthen Gatineau's positioning in its border context: Twenty-one actions have been carried out, including the comparative study on the downtown area produced by the Observatoire sur le développement de l’Outaouais (ODO). A sum of $75,000 was devoted to this orientation.
2. Contribute to the development of innovative entrepreneurship: Sixty-two actions have been carried out, including several by organizations. Through the Support Fund for non-profits, the City is, in fact, able to increase the scope of the realization of the components of the strategic plan. Over the last three years, nearly one million dollars has been used to finance twenty-six projects led by various organizations and linked to the strategic plan.
3. Continue efforts to improve the culture of welcoming businesses in Gatineau: Thirty-five actions have been carried out for a total of nearly $175,000. These achievements include all the work done with the Société de transport de l’Outaouais and MOBIO-O for the mobility component in the Aéroparc sector. Work has also been done to simplify the path for entrepreneurs wishing to acquire land in industrial parks.

Although this interim report incorporates contributions to the strategic plan made by ID Gatineau, it does not account for all the work carried out by this organization. The information presented aims rather to show the alignment and harmonization of actions in connection with the strategic plan. This alignment will also be highlighted in the exercise of the Service de la performance organisationnelle et intelligence d’affaires (Organizational Performance and Business Intelligence Department). Over the coming months, the CDÉ will have the opportunity to examine these elements in more detail.

Generally speaking, very few of the planned actions are not completed or in the process of being completed. There are fewer achievements for the first orientation compared to the second and third orientations. This difference coincides with the budgetary share devoted to each of the orientations. The border context, however, remains an important element of vigilance.

Following the presentation, the following elements are the subject of comments or questions:

• It is very important to cultivate a link with Ottawa. It is surprising that no one represents this city at the CDÉ. A follow-up will be done regarding the feasibility of this possibility.
• In response to a question regarding Ottawa's priorities, it is indicated that Gatineau is not its priority in terms of economic development. However, the two cities share concerns and face similar issues, particularly regarding downtown areas and the absence of federal public servants. A mobilization is underway in Ottawa to try to find solutions; Gatineau has been invited to join the discussions. This alignment could lead to more formal discussions and exchanges to promote a rapprochement between the shores. Efforts will also be made to revive interest in occupying the position reserved for a person representing Ottawa on the ID Gatineau board of directors.
• An example of what is considered an action for the first orientation is requested. It is explained that a planned action is, for example, to conduct a comparative analysis. This study will serve to establish the City's positioning. By being more complementary and working better with Ottawa, Gatineau will be able to better highlight its advantages within the National Capital region.

The 2022-2023 report on the work of the CDÉ was sent to members before the meeting. The filing of this report is carried out.

11. Adoption of the 2024-2025 CDÉ work plan

It is proposed by Murielle Laberge And resolved to open the meeting in camera at 1:44 p.m.

A period of deliberations in camera takes place.

It is proposed by Pierre Roberge And resolved to end the deliberations in camera and return to the public meeting at 3:11 p.m.

During the deliberations in camera, the members agreed on:

• Amending the work plan by adding the file on the development of the cybersecurity sector and digital transformation;
• Recommending the adoption of the amended version of the work plan by the municipal council.

CDÉ-2024-01 Work Plan 2024-2025

The Economic Development Commission recommends the adoption by the municipal council of the 2024-2025 work plan as amended.

Proposed by Murielle Laberge Seconded by François de Bellefeuille Recommended unanimously