MINUTES – PUBLIC – YOUTH COMMISSION – 3rd meeting – March 15, 2025 – 1:01 p.m. to 3:52 p.m.

The Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Department (Service de l’urbanisme et du développement durable - SUDD) is present to explain to the members of the Youth Commission the ongoing processes concerning two Special Planning Programs (Plans particuliers d’urbanisme - PPU), namely that of the city centre and Île-de-Hull and that of Vieux-Aylmer, and to invite them to participate in an online consultation.

For context, it is explained that a PPU is a detailed plan for a neighbourhood. As part of the consultations, members are asked how, through the PPUs, the needs and concerns of young people can be met for the next 15 years. They are also asked what would lead them to move to or visit the city centre and Vieux-Aylmer, which would meet the needs of the adults of tomorrow. The members propose several ideas which are noted by the SUDD.

The second phase of public consultation for both projects is currently underway until March 30 in the form of an online questionnaire. The members of the Youth Commission are invited to participate. The questionnaire is transmitted in the Messenger group. It is mentioned that an open house will take place this summer at the Maison du Citoyen for the next steps of the process.

The City Centre Office (Bureau du centre-ville) is present to solicit a collaboration with the Youth Commission which will result in the realization of ad hoc workshops over the coming years in order to know their opinion on how young people imagine the Gatineau of tomorrow. The City Centre Coordination Office was created after the pandemic to reflect on how to revive the city centre without civil servants. It is working to set up current projects. Among these are Place Laval, the Cultural Trail (Sentier culturel), and the revitalization of rue Eddy.

Members are consulted on what they would like regarding these 3 projects. In addition, a festival, intended for young people, will take place on July 5 at Place Laval. We wish to know their ideas for the long term.

It is mentioned that at Place Laval, a free space is dedicated to non-profit organizations (organismes sans but lucratif - OBNL) that wish to set up projects, on the condition that they are accessible to all. Members are therefore invited to share their projects with an OBNL in order to possibly see this project come to fruition. Philippe Carlos Giroux joins the meeting at 3:19 p.m. It is highlighted that regarding rue Eddy, a meeting between art and the heritage component is desired, and that projects will not go against heritage. The members of the Youth Commission will discuss the collaboration request from the City Centre Office and a follow-up will be done with them.