MINUTES – PUBLIC – PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION (CSP) – 3rd meeting – May 28, 2025 – 5:01 p.m. to 7:31 p.m.

Annual report of the Fire Safety Service activities - Information

Denis Doucet, director of the SSIG, accompanied by Sophie Bourgeois, division chief of prevention at the SSIG, present the 2024 annual report of the activities of the Gatineau Fire Safety Service to the members of the Commission for information. The 5 prevention programs are explained in detail:

1- Incident evaluation and analysis; 2- Municipal fire safety regulations; 3- Installation and verification of smoke alarm functionality; 4- Periodic inspection program for higher risks; 5- Public awareness activity program.

Other information shared by the Service during the presentation:

✓ The Service reminds that Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to learn more about fire safety. The next edition will take place on September 27, 2025. ✓ The SSIG prevention team members normally return calls or questions from the public (requests for information, awareness, and prevention) within a usual delay of less than 48 hours since this type of follow-up is also a priority for the team. ✓ The Service informs the members of the commitment and involvement of its teams with people experiencing homelessness. It is estimated that nearly 50% of the workload of 2 preventionists per year is invested in prevention and awareness within the framework of this important situation. ✓ The function of a Plan particulier d’intervention en incendie (PPI) is explained. gatineau.ca The PPI is a document that defines the measures to take in case of fire in a high-risk establishment. It is developed in advance and is even accessible to teams in the fire safety truck. It is very useful to save time and better know where the collectors, fire hydrants, etc., are. ✓ The specific characteristics of inter-municipal collaborations are briefly presented. It is highlighted that these agreements are under review and are essential for collaboration and mutual aid. The example of the collaboration or mutual aid possible with the City of Ottawa is given due to their expertise, among others, in rescue, confined spaces, heights, or in relation to hazardous materials. It is specified that during the tornado event in Gatineau, the municipalities of Val-des-Monts and Cantley supported the City of Gatineau in their turn; the City of Ottawa needing its staff for its population at the same time. It is also mentioned that the City of Gatineau could also be called upon to support neighboring municipalities more when necessary or when the intervention time is faster. Note, however, that the level of training of firefighters who help each other during collaboration agreements is not always the same. ✓ The meaning of the notion of 'strike force' (force de frappe) is clarified according to the risk coverage scheme; that is to say, the number of firefighters required according to needs and circumstances. The strike force includes a minimum of 10 firefighters deployed in 10 minutes during an event. In 2024, the City of Gatineau reached this strike force 94% of the time. However, time issues are exceptionally noted in the Aylmer sector. The opening of the new fire station will help reduce this delay. ✓ The management processes for safety equipment are explained. It is specified that a combat suit has a lifespan of 10 years and that each firefighter has 2 so that the suit used during a fire is subject to deep cleaning, for example. The CSST has recognized 15 cancers as occupational diseases. The importance of ensuring the highest standards of protection is a priority of the SSIG.

Exchange period

General comments Thanks are addressed to the SSIG team. The complexity of this important, specialized, and technical work is highlighted. The report allows learning more about the various components and activities of the Service.

Smoke alarm inspection The chair wishes to know more about the follow-ups that take place with citizens after the issuance of non-compliance notices during smoke alarm verification. The Service specifies that in addition to a follow-up following the receipt of non-compliance notices or notices of violation, actions are taken immediately by the teams on the ground to ensure the safety of the occupants. For example, in the case where a smoke alarm is missing or non-functional, the SSIG immediately gives one to the occupants of the residence. A partnership with Gazifère allows the Service to have in reserve several smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms for targeted distribution. During a non-compliance, a notice is given, a call and a follow-up are made to confirm compliance in the file. A painted alarm or one whose date has expired is non-compliant and a notice of violation is given. gatineau.ca

Cultural diversity and career at the SSIG A member wishes to know the measures put in place by the SSIG to increase the diversity and representativeness of Gatineau citizens among the team (human resources portrait) of the Service. A comparison is made with the Gatineau Police Service and its recent efforts and actions on this issue. One wonders if it is a recruitment difficulty and if there is a plan at the human resources level to improve this situation at the SSIG. It is mentioned that services must reflect the populations they serve. The SSIG management explains wishing to increase representativeness and diversity within the composition of its team although it is a challenge currently. Improvement is desired. However, the challenge seems to be particularly linked to the current availability of qualified human resources for hiring (DEP and DEC). This is an issue at the level of training schools, among others, which must attract people wishing to be trained. It is explained having participated in various outreach activities promoting the profession to women and people from cultural communities to encourage people to be interested in the profession and enroll in training schools if desired. A pairing challenge was even organized this year where 6 participants were received in Gatineau. The provincial event 'On a tous le feu sacré' is also organized, annually, to increase the pool of people interested in the career of firefighters. The City of Gatineau participates in it. Another question is asked concerning the presence of women within the SSIG team. One wonders if targeted promotion is done at the level of high schools, Cégeps, etc. One wonders if planning is done with the Ministry to seek more women or people from cultural communities. The Service explains organizing kiosks in job fairs, high schools, targeting particularly sports-study programs, etc. As for women, an event named 'Les filles ont le feu sacré' is also organized and the mentors are women.

Intervention with people experiencing homelessness One wishes to know if interventions with people experiencing homelessness are done by the same preventionists or by different teams. The Service mentions that it is the same two preventionists, 99% of the time, who do these interventions to promote links and recognition of the team among these citizens.

Emergency shelter center A question is addressed to the team concerning the presence of an emergency shelter center. One wonders if Gatineau has certain pre-identified places or if such centers exist. The Service explains that the centers are identified places that can serve as shelter locations and which are identified, as needed and according to the location of the event to serve as an emergency shelter center according to the situations. The Recreation, Sports and Community Development Service has the mandate to deploy this during an emergency situation. A committee has been set up with the Civil Security Bureau since. gatineau.ca

Battery and prevention A member highlights having read recently in La Presse an increase (195%) of fires related to the use of batteries in Montreal. One wonders if this portrait is the same in Gatineau and what prevention is put forward (e.g., electric scooters, etc.). The Service specifies that a report is currently being developed on this issue by the Ministry of Public Security although it does not compile precisely the fires related to lithium batteries. Montreal has equipped itself in the face of this problem. One feels an increase in this situation in Gatineau even if it is not documented precisely on this subject. It is noted that the quality of batteries is improving, which has the effect of reducing the risk of fire, but that there are more and more incidents due to the increase in the number of batteries in circulation.

Training A member wonders if the City of Gatineau could reflect on hiring certain staff from other territories not having the same certification (lower certification) than that required in Gatineau. Would it be possible to have them continue their training once hired? The Service answers that this is not possible given the regulations surrounding cities of more than 200,000 inhabitants. Everything is well regulated in this regard. However, it is specified that within the framework of mutual aid or collaboration agreements, it is still possible for other teams not having the same training to act and intervene if the whole is desired between the parties and that these people are not in the employ of the City of Gatineau. The specificities in Gatineau are related to certain risks that are found more in large cities such as high-rise buildings for example. The whole is anchored in the regulation on training. It is mentioned, however, that the regulation on training must eventually adjust. The training should adapt eventually, this one dating from 25 years already (2000). The training represents a cornerstone whose environment wishes for a change. It must be the most adapted to today's reality. A movement for a reform is underway in the environment to this effect.

Exceptional situation report - Information

The information item concerning the exceptional situation report is presented by Stéphanie Balgé, civil security coordinator at the Civil Security Bureau (BSC) of Gatineau. The presenter explains that a partial mobilization took place this year (2025) concerning the floods. The portrait of the situation is presented. Preventive measures took place as early as April 25. This prevention announced that water levels were on the rise and that floods would be possible, with all reservations. The Civil Security Bureau having analyzed the situation, informed the municipal civil security organization (OMSC) preventively and made a partial mobilization of this group. Partial measures and actions were triggered by targeting the riverfront residents and targeted owners. The Gatineau Police Service was mobilized to ensure observation on the ground. The Communications Service was involved just like the Public Works Service for the preparation of sandbags. Preventive measures were taken in connection with the bike paths most at risk of being flooded as well. An active watch at the CANU was in effect to ensure the follow-up of all requests related to possible floods and see to signal them to the Civil Security Bureau team as quickly as possible. gatineau.ca

The teams of the territorial directorates were mobilized as well as the Fire Safety Service and the Water and Residual Materials Service. Door-to-door awareness activities were put forward by the teams to 65-70 residences. According to the first forecasts, about 65 houses were at risk of being affected including 15 in the Aylmer sector. An opening of a file was made with the government operations center in connection with an 'imminent disaster'. The goal being to register beforehand in the financial aid program for municipalities in case of disasters and to register for the support potentially offered. On April 27, a first sandbag distribution site was opened (Aylmer sector). The OMSC met twice a day until May 7 to exchange pertinent information or solicit necessary partners as needed. More than 2,000 sandbags were recovered at the various distribution sites. Volunteers provided targeted communications to identified residents. A process and awareness actions also took place with people experiencing homelessness affected. On May 7, the situation having evolved favorably, the whole being now under control, the teams began to be released and demobilized since the threat being lifted. A feedback activity with all mobilized parties will take place on June 19 in order to update the particular intervention plan.

Exchange period

General comments Thanks are addressed to the presenter.

Sandbags A member wishes to understand why the sandbags in his district, in the Gatineau sector, were installed at the P2 parking lot of parc du Lac-Beauchamp instead of rue Hurtubise. It seemed to lack clear indication to reassure and properly direct citizens. One wonders if it was a logistical error. The Service explains that in connection with the 2023 feedback, the Public Works Service had made a request to better relocate the sandbags so as to prevent safety issues related to machinery and the narrow street chosen initially. People arriving with children, near heavy machinery, was a major risk factor. It was safer to identify another location. A note is however taken to improve the directives and communications to the public on this subject.

Pause from 6:22 p.m. to 6:31 p.m.

Annual report of the Police Service activities - Information

The 2024 annual report of the activities of the SPVG is presented by the director, Simon Fournier. For the occasion, the members of the SPVG management are present. This report is a very important moment for the Service since it is also year 1 of the SPVG 2024-2028 strategic planning. An alignment took place with this plan. The 2024 report is articulated around 4 pillars:

1. Personnel;
2. Victim-centered approach; gatineau.ca
3. Intelligence-led policing;
4. Community approach.

The vision is presented: a human police service, whose proactivity is its objective and the trust it inspires, its reason for being.

Other information shared by the Service during the presentation:

✓ The portrait of the SPVG is presented. It is highlighted that 25% of the staff are women and that 5% of the staff are people from cultural communities. ✓ Several trainings are offered to police teams to maximize staff knowledge on various issues and current topics (coercive control, diversity and inclusion, etc.). ✓ Initiatives for the benefit of victims are presented, among others, the results of the organization of the first symposium on domestic violence, the production of tools (video) for seniors, targeted intervention with residents of a living space for seniors, etc. ✓ The first edition of the Police Academy took place in 2024. The second edition will take place on June 23 and allows demystifying the work of police officers while promoting this career and contributing eventually to recruitment. ✓ Among the statistics presented, it is noted that the criminal harassment component is on the rise. More offenses at the level of pimping are noticed. The continuity of the squad against the fight against pimping creates more intervention. The approach having changed and is now at the level of clients. At the level of crimes against property, a 22% increase in bicycle thefts is noticed, an increase also noticed in Canada. At the level of other crimes, 282 firearms were seized in 2024. The SPVG is part of the Centaure approach at the provincial level and makes it one of its priorities in Gatineau. ✓ The community policing approach is explained. Several interventions or initiatives took place in 2024. Let us name among others the interventions with people experiencing homelessness and those of people presenting vulnerabilities. More than 500 presentations took place in primary and secondary school classes. It is mentioned that these are visited at least once a year by a member of the SPVG team. The Parapluie, 'C’est quoi le plan?', and '#gardeçapourtoi' programs are in place. Several other prevention activities take place with various clienteles, including seniors and cultural communities. The 'Radar vivant' backpack is a very telling speed prevention means in school zones, deployed with young people from schools by the SPVG. Several other initiatives are presented including the youth diversity summit and the pairing system allowing to pair a police officer with a community organization in order to weave links and facilitate knowledge and understanding of field issues. ✓ Several awards and distinctions were received by the SPVG in 2024. We thank Patrick Pilon, member of the CSP, in connection with the social rehabilitation ambassador award in the Outaouais which was given to the UNIC team of the SPVG (Crisis Intervention Unit) during the Gala Réhab 2024. ✓ It is reminded that the SPVG Open House Day takes place on June 7 in 2025.

Exchange period

General comments gatineau.ca Thanks are addressed to the team for the presentation of this clear and complete report highlighting the work of the SPVG and its beautiful evolution within the framework of several files, particularly at the level of victims of criminal acts.

Criminal acts We thank the SPVG for the progression of interventions and reception concerning support for victims of criminal offenses, especially within the framework of intimate relationships. We notice at the Centre d’aide aux victimes d’actes criminels (the CAVAC) a personalized, very sensitive approach that makes a difference for victims.

Feedback process The feedback process put forward by the SPVG with a residence for seniors where a major event had taken place is highlighted. This is favorable to the recovery of the affected individuals and their families. Can this type of intervention and approach be extended? In addition to returning to the scene to discuss with citizens who witnessed this event, the process allowed reaching out to them, being attentive, and intervening retroactively according to questions, traumas, etc. The Service specifies that the intervention is an initiative of an SPVG team working with the community. Post-intervention follow-ups are part of the work of the teams. For teams from the gendarmerie, a follow-up process with victims is therefore already planned. However, capacity, availability, and available time are issues. There are expectations for post-intervention follow-up according to priorities and busier or calmer call periods. The wish of the SPVG would be to find a way to take more time to do it again, with all reservations. It is added that the experience was conclusive, that the receptivity was beautiful, and that the door is now open for this type of initiative, as needed and according to organizational capacities.

Cybercrime A member informs the Commission that in the environment of organizations, one notices the increase in victims of cybercrime. Some people often have little or no recourse. We seek to know how to better support these people. Is the SPVG in contact with financial or support organizations allowing to better direct and guide these victims to organizations? The SPVG mentions that a team of investigators is assigned to the situation. Crime has become borderless and is very complex. The Service tries to be proactive and to well train the teams and guide them in view of their interventions. Ensuring to have a clear knowledge of community organizations and making referrals as needed is necessary. It is sometimes very difficult to act on some of these issues. Prevention is important. The SPVG wishes to be at the forefront and be proactive as much as possible, according to the context. Fraud files have become very complex.

People experiencing homelessness and offenders On one hand, congratulations are addressed to the SPVG for the excellence of their work with people experiencing homelessness. The sensitivity of the teams, their approach, and the interventions is an aspect raised. These notable changes make a huge difference for community workers. Challenges remain, but the changes are notable and this is very well received. gatineau.ca

On the other hand, it is mentioned that it would be interesting to see how it would be possible to accompany offenders to direct them to certain social rehabilitation services upstream of the judicial process so that they can undertake such steps as soon as possible (accompaniment/referral). The Service specifies having already started this approach, especially in domestic violence with men. A trend is emerging to explore the feasibility of such approaches for the coming years.

Training A member wishes to know if all police officers receive training concerning coercive control. It is answered that this is offered to all patrol teams. Furthermore, a field organization is paired with an opportunity for testimonies in connection with this training. The training was put in place with community partners.

College Studies Attestation (AEC) One wonders how many people followed the AEC program to become future police officers. It is answered that 13 people followed this program in 2024.

Can we text 911? A question concerning the possibility or not of texting from now on the urgent service 9-1-1 is asked. The Service explains to the members that the program will be complete shortly with the new generation 911 to come. These new Canadian and provincial standards will be put in place and in Gatineau, the Service is ready and waiting for deployment. The goal is to deploy this new generation 911 in the fall of 2025. The current delays are due more to suppliers. There is no delay on the standards. A first test will be done to see if this is functional. It will be a great novelty, but also an additional means to communicate with an emergency call center while remaining confidential. Upon its deployment, a communication campaign will be put in place with the public.

Community vision The community vision of the SPVG is highlighted. We would however like to better understand how this is deployed with the SPVG patrol. It would be good to see patrollers participate in community activities as well. The Service indicates that the community vision is deployed with patrol teams as much as community police officers. It is important that all teams have a common understanding of this and create a bond of trust with the community.

Human resources A member wishes to know more about the reason for the resignations of some of its employees. The Service specifies that at each departure, a member must fill out a questionnaire to this effect. The opportunity to return to their hometown, recognized experience, the need for a change of profession are part of the reasons mentioned. The massive and competitive recruitment at the RCMP level is also problematic since this type of job cannot be offered in Gatineau. gatineau.ca