MINUTES – PUBLIC – GATINEAU, HEALTHY CITY COMMISSION (CGVS) – 3rd meeting – June 19, 2025 – 10:03 a.m. to 12:54 p.m.

8. Adaptation to climate change and quality of life for citizens - Information

The presentation is made by Jean-Christophe Gandubert, from the Department of Recreation, Sports and Community Development. The objective of the presentation is to inform members of the actions taken by the Department for resilience in the face of climate change. This file is part of the Commission's work plan for the last two years. Stéphanie Ayotte leaves her seat at 10:53 a.m. and resumes it at 10:55 a.m. The various projects in progress or to come are presented. The developments that are made along the banks must take into account the annual spring floods. Summers are hotter with frequent episodes of drought and heat waves and actions have been taken to keep water games open longer. Fountains and misters have been incorporated into public spaces. It is necessary to extend certain activities to meet the needs of clienteles in the context of climate change, and consequently, to adapt the level of services offered by the Public Works Department.

At the level of outdoor skating rinks, last winter was exceptional. The general trend was 12 annual days of outdoor skating in conditions that were not optimal. We must question the service offer at this level. Some facilities could not open during certain seasons, such as the Lac-Beauchamp rink and the ruisseau de la Brasserie rink. A questioning must be undertaken at the level of the type of field (synthetic or natural). There is the initial installation cost, but also the impacts in terms of maintenance (water) and potential hours of use of the field. A synthetic field is made of 20,000 used tires and can be used on average 75 hours per week. A single synthetic field is equivalent to 3 natural fields in terms of use (due to drainage and maintenance to be done on the natural field, etc.). It is also possible to move and reorganize users to reduce the stress of use on the natural field. There is currently a soccer dome project at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. This facility, even if there are heating costs associated with it, is less expensive than a new permanent construction. We must also analyze carbon footprints. Jeneviève Caron leaves her seat at 11:03 a.m. and resumes her seat at 11:23 a.m. The various options for skating rinks are presented. The option of covered and refrigerated ice is the best option, but it is very expensive. Uncovered and refrigerated skating rinks are the best choices in terms of cost-benefit. These are refrigerated mats that are unplugged and removed in the spring. A pilot project will begin for a period of 2 years at parc des Cèdres. Eventually, it would be a permanent development with a public square. Details are given regarding the mechanisms and operations of this ice. The Ecological Transition Department has carried out tests on the types of ground cover possible to replace grass. Evaluations are still underway for viable options to reduce asphalt surfaces. Sun shelters have been added to some baseball fields. Drinking fountains have been added to the walls of community centers. Citizens are asking for a prioritization of access to water, toilets, and sun shelters. Dog waterers are also suggested. Fountains, toilets, and bike stations should be located on a map. It is indicated that we would like this data to be put online at the geomatics level. Future developments are presented:

• Misters in parks and public places;
• Integration of architectural water jets in public squares;
• Integrated watering for sports surfaces and sprinklers for synthetic surfaces;
• Tree planting (a grant was obtained by the Ecological Transition Department);
• Sponge parks; there is a water garden that has been installed at Lac-Beauchamp, and we are exploring the possibility of developing spaces considered lost, such as retention basins. The Department is also trying to minimize the footprint by converting asphalt to gravel. Winter maintenance is questioned for these paths. Paths that must be cleared of snow must currently be asphalt, in accordance with the Politique d’aménagement des sentiers de viabilité hivernale. Some paths are universally accessible and must be maintained in winter. Concrete slabs are installed under street furniture and under bleachers. There are costs associated with these slabs, and soil tests are required when there is excavation. Alternatives are analyzed to replace concrete. Materials are reused when possible, but there may be issues regarding the standards to follow. Discussions follow on donations of construction materials. There may be a safety issue since the lifespan of this equipment is limited. The state of the banks has been analyzed to see the corrections that could be made.

A question period follows. It is mentioned that some population groups are more affected by climate change. An analysis must be done to this effect to ensure that the needs of these populations are met. It is highlighted that citizens appreciated that parc Fontaine had a longer summer opening period. The administration specifies that it wishes to review the umbrella policy to respond to a plurality of citizens without adopting a disciplinary approach. The objective is to have versatile facilities that are used by a wider clientele. At the end of the subject, a member highlights that neighborhood houses and some community centers have obsolete premises, without air conditioning. These facilities could benefit from misters for summer camps. Pause from 11:35 a.m. to 11:51 a.m. Kathleen Barette leaves at 11:35 a.m.

10. Management guide for makeshift camps - Information

A presentation is made by Mychelle Vaive of the Department of Recreation, Sports and Community Development. This presentation is made for information purposes. This guide is in connection with the bylaw aimed at temporary occupation of the public domain by temporary shelters. There is a tolerance for temporary camps. Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in camps and people in situations of homelessness. Issues are raised (compulsive hoarding, fires, increasing citizen requests, difficult cohabitation with riparian citizens, security and health issues, and basic hygienic conditions). With the organizations, there was a reflection and research on what is being done elsewhere in Quebec, Canada, and the United States was carried out. The approach was undertaken with openness. The bylaw is a set of rules that aim to regulate an activity or behavior in a determined territory. It also allows for the establishment of a guide, which determines what is authorized or not. The guide is a procedural and administrative tool allowing for the promotion of support towards temporary or permanent housing. The bylaw is based on what we can and cannot do, while the guide will be the application of the bylaw. The guide informs citizens about living together and the city's chains of action. The bylaw prohibits the occupation of the City's public domain, but allows for the temporary housing of people in situations of homelessness under certain conditions, in designated places and with a permit. The Department of Recreation, Sports and Community Development will be responsible for visits and inspections. The permit holder will have to, to obtain it, fill out an application form. Upon granting of the permit, storage bins will be given to the holder in order to keep their personal effects there. The permit will be revoked after an abandonment of 30 days or more. The compliance elements for the occupation are explained regarding the following elements:

• Heating appliance;
• Pets;
• Allocated space, use and storage;
• Prohibition regarding fires and BBQ.

The guiding principles of the guide are as follows:

• Human rights and citizen responsibility;
• Right to housing;
• Citizen participation;
• Support for the person;
• Stability;
• Security;
• Communication;
• Follow-up and evaluation.

The roles and responsibilities of the City are as follows:

• Provide access to drinking water;
• Maintain peace, order, and public safety;
• Limit fire risks;
• Manage residual materials;
• Do regular cleaning to prevent the presence of rodents and harmful insects;
• Do social development to allow people to fully flourish and participate in social life.

A question period follows. There will be tolerance outside the Guertin site. It is desired to offer and refer to existing services that are available on the Guertin site first. Otherwise, there will be notices given to respect the bylaw. The only authorized site is that of Guertin. What is authorized at Guertin is marked out, allowing for the limitation of the City's service offer and the obligations of the users. Interventions on the site and outside must be consistent. The bylaw only concerns the Guertin site, but the guide allows for marking out the entire territory with an adaptation in terms of service capacity. Clarifications are requested regarding the impacts on riparian people, and it is desired that communications be sent to them regarding the guide and the City's actions. The Sanscartier site is not covered by the guide and the bylaw. Tolerance remains in effect throughout the territory. Stéphanie Ayotte leaves the meeting at 12:30 p.m. The quorum is lost. A member adds that there are possibilities for interventions at all levels and that interventions in the field will be facilitated since people in situations of homelessness can be redirected to adequate services. The members insist on the communications to be made with citizens. The understanding of bylaws can be complex and the process will have to be evolutionary. Support is critical in this situation. Inspections and evaluations can be invasive and we must avoid falling into a culture of surveillance. We must juggle with living together. The administration specifies that in terms of respect for privacy, the bylaw is built like a toolbox. Issuing notices of violation is not the primary objective and that is why the person responsible for the bylaw is the SLSDC, which is not a control team. The objective is the exit from crisis and not control. Concerns are expressed regarding the training and support that will be put in place for the workers. Development in terms of social housing continues in parallel. We want access to improve, and the concern for young people and access to property is highlighted. At the level of the shock committee, figures were presented showing that many community and social housing units have been delivered. The population's response to the guide is positive. There is a paradigm shift. The population must feel concerned by the situation and consistency helps this vision. There are vulnerabilities for people very closely linked by homelessness since there could be criticism. Another concern concerns the tolerance of homelessness itself, and the acceptance of the situation by citizens. The advantage of the guide is at the clinical level, as with Transition Québec. The economic situation means that some members indicate that the situation might not be temporary. The credibility of the Department is highlighted. It is everyone's work. All the initiatives and work carried out by the City and by the partners have allowed us to advance and improve. There are many initiatives, and it is essential to focus on the prevention of homelessness. The defense of tenants' rights must be kept in mind and support for community housing as well. The multiplication of problems is found in social housing and we must prevent the worsening of the situation. We must reflect at the urban planning level on how to avoid too great a concentration in one place and have bold targets in order to avoid generating social problems continuously.