MINUTES – PUBLIC – Living Together Commission – 5th meeting – November 14, 2024 – 9:02 a.m. to 12:02 p.m.

Presentation: Status report on Indigenous initiatives and the role of the Regional Indigenous Partnership Advisor

The Regional Indigenous Partnership Advisor, Ms. Roxanne Lauzon, noted that she is a member of the Pikogan Algonquin community and has been employed by the City of Gatineau since January 2024. Her position is shared 50/50 between the City of Gatineau and the Pôle en enseignement supérieur de l’Outaouais. The Kitigan Zibi community was also involved in the creation of this position.

The objectives of the presentation are to:

• Explain the mandate of the Regional Indigenous Partnership Advisor
• Present the mapping of ongoing projects
• Present the mapping of needs

Josée Cousineau joined the meeting at 9:07 a.m. Ibrahim Sballil joined the meeting at 9:13 a.m.

Discussion Period

Jeanie Pinard-Duhaime of the Table Éducation Outaouais (TEO) mentioned that her organization would like to be part of the Working Table on Indigenous Realities. She asked why the situation of Indigenous students is only being examined from the college level: it was noted that the School Service Centres have been invited to be part of the Working Table on Indigenous Realities.

Congratulations were expressed on the work accomplished to date by the advisor, and the importance of such a position was recognized. A question was asked about what the "Indigenization" of courses means: it is actually about ensuring that the Indigenous perspective is integrated into various courses and training (e.g., social work, history courses, etc.). It also means giving Indigenous students all the tools necessary to ensure their academic success.

It was recalled that Indigenous communities have municipal and provincial responsibilities, so they must manage the education of their youth, and for a long time, this component has been underfunded. Indigenous students starting higher education often need a boost to integrate certain concepts and do not necessarily master French.

Bato Redzovic of the APO said he was impressed by all the work that has been accomplished in a short time and thanked the advisor for her support during the Week Against Racism. The importance of the notion of complementarity of this position with existing initiatives was highlighted, and it was asked how to better build bridges between these initiatives, City services, and the role of the Regional Indigenous Partnership Advisor. The Working Table on Indigenous Realities was created with this spirit in mind, to ensure the pooling of resources. The current mandate of the Table is broad, as it is desired that it be specified by the members so that they truly take ownership of it. The aim is also to develop a common understanding of Indigenous realities.

Ms. Lauzon was asked if she is a member of the CVE; she clarified that she is not, but that she will take part in the commission's sessions regularly to present updates on the realization of her mandate.

A question was asked about what the main issues noted in the field by the Regional Indigenous Partnership Advisor have been since she took office. Of course, issues related to access to housing and government services are present, as they are for the general population. Added to this is the language barrier (for Indigenous people who speak mostly English), as well as cultural differences and the hierarchy of values. For example, young Indigenous people who leave school to take care of their family are not dropouts; they prioritize their family and will return to their studies later to learn a trade. It was recalled that many Indigenous people come to live in the city on a transitory basis for education or health care, and then return to their community. In conclusion, the request that had been made for the creation of this position and the desire of the City of Gatineau to develop the application of an "Indigenous lens," as is done with ADS+, were recalled.

Presentation: Review of the 2021-2024 Cultural Diversity Action Plan (MIFI financial partnership)

The presentation was given by Mr. Louis-Patrick Comeau, with the following objectives:

• To present the review of the 2021-2023 (2024) Cultural Diversity Action Plan of the City of Gatineau, carried out in financial partnership with the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI)
• To recommend the submission of the review to the City Council

Discussion Period

It was asked if a service disruption is anticipated given the gap between the two MIFI calls for projects. The SLSDC has some funds in reserve to cover the gap period and is hopeful that the next call for projects will arrive in time to avoid a service disruption. The members of the SLSDC were congratulated and thanked for their great openness to collaborating with partner associations; it was described as an exceptional collaboration.

Recommendation CVE-2024-02

Considering that the Commission du vivre-ensemble monitors municipal issues regarding diversity and living together; Considering that the review is positive and that the City of Gatineau wishes to submit a new 2025-2027 action plan on immigration and living together in 2025;

The Commission du vivre-ensemble recommends that the City Council accept the review of the 2021-2023 (2024) Cultural Diversity Action Plan.

Proposed by Bato Redzovic Seconded by Eugenine Sfeir Adopted