MINUTES — PUBLIC — TOPONYMY COMMITTEE — 3rd meeting — April 28, 2025 — 2:37 p.m. to 4:09 p.m.

5. Public question period

Jean-Paul Perreault, citizen Accompanied by Claudia Legault-Dallaire, president of the Salon du livre de l’Outaouais, Jean-Paul Perrault represents the family of Serge Dion. Several highlights of the career and commitment of this poet and communicator are recounted. Mr. Dion was notably the instigator and founding president of the Association des auteurs et auteures de l’Outaouais (AAAO) as well as a founding member of the Salon du livre de l’Outaouais. In conclusion, Jean-Paul Perrault asks the Toponymy Committee to move forward by naming an important cultural place in his honor. He leaves it to the committee to decide on the location. The family will be informed of the results of the committee's discussions.

Patrice Emery, citizen Patrice Emery requests recognition of the Black community within Gatineau's toponymy. He emphasizes the importance for members of this community to develop a sense of identity in the city of Gatineau. He asks that the rules be modified. He suggests that one way to achieve this is to establish quotas so that designations are reserved specifically for the Black community. It is noted that one of the rules for toponymic designations is that the person must have been deceased for at least one year. According to Patrice Emery, this rule can be bypassed by not using only names of people and by broadening perspectives to elements that designate members of the Black community. Regarding the possibility of forming a committee where members of the Black community would participate to draw up a list of toponyms that could be submitted to the Toponymy Committee, Patrice Emery responds that such a way of doing things amounts to handing the work over to them. Academics supported financially by the city can conduct research. It is noted that the SACL (Service des arts, de la culture et des lettres) has budgets to carry out this type of research. It is suggested that Patrice Emery contact the Commission du vivre ensemble (Living Together Commission), whose mandate is to promote an inclusive living environment. Isabelle N. Miron being a member of this commission, she could establish a link with it. It is also specified that a presentation took place in September 2024 to this commission. The objective of this presentation is to collaborate on the issue of cultural diversity in Gatineau toponymy. A project is also coming to the SACL with members of the most important cultural communities in Gatineau to identify names that go beyond strictly commemorative toponymy. Work continues on the issue of the representation of cultural diversity in the toponymy of Gatineau; this is one of the committee's priorities. It is asked if it is possible for organizations to know deceased persons from the Black community and if they could transmit these to the committee. Patrice Emery indicates that this possibility exists. He adds, however, that this research should encompass people who have worked throughout Quebec and not be limited to Gatineau.

Léo Labrie, citizen Léo Labrie invokes various ways to carry out toponymic designations. He cites themes such as astronomy or mining. Léo Labrie inquires about the relations between the teams linked to toponymy of the National Capital Commission (NCC) and those of the City. He deems it deplorable that the names of communication routes are amputated of their generic (e.g., des Allumettières instead of boulevard des Allumettières). It is noted that little work is done with the NCC; the jurisdictions are different. It is acknowledged that the names of communication routes are sometimes abbreviated on road signs.

The chair thanks all the people who spoke during this question period. To facilitate the exchanges, the chair suggests opening the meeting in camera.

It is proposed by Pierre-Luc Gagné, seconded by Michel Noreau, and resolved that this Committee open the meeting in camera at 3:02 p.m. Adopted.

A period of deliberations in camera takes place. It is proposed by Isabelle N. Miron, seconded by Johanne Légaré, and resolved to adjourn the in camera meeting and return to the current public meeting at 4:06 p.m. Adopted.

Laurent Robillard-Cardinal leaves the meeting at 4:05 p.m. The quorum is maintained.

6. Decisions regarding in camera deliberations

The members of the Toponymy Committee agree on the following decisions:

• Analysis grids — Serge Dion file — Recommendation CT-2025-06 It is resolved unanimously that the Toponymy Committee recommends naming the animation room of the new Lucy-Faris library, which will be located in Aylmer, in honor of Serge Dion. Proposed by Michel Noreau, seconded by Johanne Légaré. Adopted.

• Designation — Parc du Galion file The Toponymy Committee will continue the study of this file. The subject will return to a future meeting for recommendation.

• Toponymic theme — Sport – Portes de l’Ouest - Recommendation CT-2025-07 It is resolved unanimously that the Toponymy Committee recommends reserving the following names for the sports theme of the Portes de l’Ouest: Lise-Waters; Michel-Careau; Michel-Larocque; Des Vestas; Jean-Bernard-Rainville; Léo-Gravelle; Pierrette-Paquin-Devine and Rocky-Robitaille. Proposed by Michel Noreau, seconded by Pierre-Luc Gagné. Adopted.

7. Committee guidelines: cultural diversity

• Engagement Mariette-Lapaix The Toponymy Committee will grant priority to the name Mariette-Lapaix, a member of the Haitian community of Gatineau, during upcoming designations for the Vallée-de-Chambord project, in the Gatineau sector. This name is already part of the list of names reserved for this project.