MINUTES – PUBLIC – Committee-Maison du Citoyen, 25 Laurier Street, Gatineau – Living Together Commission (CVE)

D’Hiver-Cité

Charline Siefvater, program coordinator, and Benoît Hudon, director, both representing the organization Ski à l’École (SAÉ), present the D’Hiver-Cité project to the members for information purposes. This presentation is linked to file #3 – Reception and integration activities for newcomers of the 2026 Work Plan of the CVE. The objective is to present this new outdoor service offer to the members so that they can promote this project in their respective environments.

The D’Hiver-Cité project aims to promote the appreciation of the Quebec winter and to encourage participation in winter activities among diverse clienteles. Ski à l’École presents its mission, which consists of making winter activities accessible, educational, and inclusive, notably through ski initiation and activities adapted to different groups. It is specified that the D’Hiver-Cité project is aimed at a varied clientele, ranging from children to adults, primarily targeting newcomers and people from cultural communities, families, and other community groups, from an intergenerational perspective. It is a new program offered in 2026, a structured and inclusive program.

The presentation highlights the benefits of winter on physical, social, and cultural levels, as well as the importance of developing a positive relationship with the winter season, particularly for people who are newly arrived or less familiar with this climatic context. It is also mentioned that the organization deploys an educational approach, notably through the annual training of teachers, who act as ambassadors to share information and encourage family participation in the proposed activities. The project helps reduce accessibility barriers for the benefit of family fun.

The representatives emphasize that, despite its name, Ski à l’école offers activities that go beyond the school framework and reach a wider public, including family and community activities. The D’Hiver-Cité project is thus part of a desire to decompartmentalize the offer and strengthen the links between school, family, and the community. It is mentioned that it is important to reach different populations, and that the organization wishes, among other things, to develop more specific collaborations, notably with the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Maniwaki and Accueil Parrainage Outaouais (APO).

The D’Hiver-Cité project is structured around four main axes: inclusion; living together; universal access to winter outdoor activities; and connection to the territory. It is specified that the mandate granted to the organization includes activity programming, logistics, supervision, coordination with partners, and the provision of equipment. The programming takes place from January to March and includes an invitation to the Dernière neige festival, as well as the implementation of atypical activities. It is mentioned that approximately ten weekly activities are offered, with an average duration of two hours. The types of activities proposed are detailed, notably cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. The activities take place in urban parks, with the implementation of a shuttle system, specifically three shuttles during the season.

Participation in the activities aims to foster the creation of social bonds and to strengthen the sense of belonging, by focusing on positive experiences related to winter and the benefits they can generate. One of the avenues to prioritize would be the development of customized activities in partnership, in order to create a group effect and strengthen the mobilization of participants. This avenue is identified as one to explore for a future season.

Exchange period

General comments: Members formulate positive comments regarding the activities presented and underline their interest in sharing the information within their respective organizations to foster potential collaborations. It is highlighted that the project is of particular interest on an educational level, notably for newcomers, by fostering a better appropriation of the Quebec winter.

Ski à l’École name: A comment is formulated regarding the name "Ski à l’école," considering that the activities are aimed at a broader clientele, including people from 4 to 104 years old, families, newcomers, as well as various community groups (e.g., mother-daughter).

Families: A discussion focuses on the possibility of reaching more families through the proposed activities. The organization specifies that, every year, teachers are trained to act as ambassadors, both internally and with families, to foster the dissemination of information and participation in activities.

Health inequality: A statutory member, from the Public Health Department, highlights that the free and accessible nature of the activities contributes to reducing inequalities, notably in terms of health. He mentions his intention to speak about it to his public health teams to strengthen the links, specifying that the issue of ethnocultural communities is one of the priorities this year. The organization receives congratulations for the project presented.

Collaboration: It is suggested to explore avenues of collaboration allowing the organization to integrate more into the programming of partners, notably with the Carrefour jeunesse emploi de l’Outaouais (CJEO). It is mentioned that several people became aware of the activities through the organization and that it could be relevant to develop joint activities within the framework of the programming to foster better integration. A member mentions that the organization has already organized a few activities in collaboration with Réseau plein air. It is highlighted that these activities contribute to breaking isolation and that they have an educational character. It is mentioned that a closer link and better joint planning would allow for more integration of these activities into the programming, by fully using existing possibilities. The possibility for APO to register and invest more, notably through registrations, is also mentioned.

Bonus/Improvement: The Service says it is satisfied with the enthusiasm generated by the project and highlights that this is the first year that the activity is part of the Action Plan aimed at fostering inclusion through outdoor activities. The Service is open to collaborations and different formulas are possible for the coming years, specifying that this is a test year, requiring adjustments and continuous adaptation. Ski à l’École explains that, when the project began in Gatineau, with schools, the steps had been taken close to the launch date. It is indicated that interventions are now started earlier and earlier, and that contact as early as September or October would allow them to be ready at the time of the start of activities. It is highlighted that the project shows great flexibility and capacity for adaptation.

Target group: A member mentions having an interest in the project which ultimately is aimed at a wider clientele than the school environment. It is recalled that many new people arrive in the country, living a double reality, and that some may feel a fear of judgment at the idea of participating in group activities. It is mentioned that these elements deserve to be taken into consideration, and that follow-up and subsequent exchanges could be envisaged with the goal of proposing specific activities, notably with Jeunesse Idem.

Women: The Service invites the members of the Commission to participate in the two upcoming activities and encourages the dissemination of information to foster participation. A member mentions that women's groups, notably within AGIR, tend to put physical activity aside. It is highlighted that there is a beautiful synergy to develop between living together, physical and mental health; AGIR says it is available to facilitate links with member groups and get in touch with them. The question of the decrease in physical activity among young girls is raised and they inquire about the existence of links with groups like Filles actives. The representatives of Ski à l’école indicate having had exchanges on this subject, notably within the framework of initiatives such as mother-daughter activities, focused on the transformation of the mother-daughter relationship, and mention an evolution towards expanded formulas including other family figures (aunts, grandmothers, etc.). It is specified that some participants remain actively involved in the programs. It is mentioned that the organization does not benefit from mission funding, which leads to a situation of precariousness. It is indicated that the question of funding remains an issue to work on and that, if solutions emerge, these could be explored further.

Families and school environment: A question is asked regarding the means of transmitting the offer to families, considering that the activities are mainly deployed in the school environment. It is notably suggested that schools could disseminate the information to parents in the neighborhoods. The representatives of the organization respond that training is offered to teachers, from a perspective of education beyond the walls of the school. It is specified that teachers act as ambassadors, contributing to the dissemination of information, although communications could be improved.

Community partners: A member mentions that the groupings and tables of partners in social development could also play a role in the dissemination of the offer to their partners, such as neighborhood houses and youth centers, notably to parents. In response, the representatives indicate that initiatives like Ski Cool, carried notably by these neighborhood/youth houses, already allow some people to become ski ambassadors. The significant potential for collaboration is highlighted, including the possibility of developing joint workshops or activities. A suggestion is formulated regarding the relevance, for the City of Gatineau, to relay this subject in a collaborative framework or within other bodies such as the Commission Gatineau, ville en santé, if necessary. The representatives invite interested people to contact them following the meeting and thank the members for the enthusiasm shown regarding the project.

Ici Famille – Protection jeunesse – Présentation

Zakia Ouazzine, intercultural community worker for the organization Accueil Parrainage Outaouais (APO), presents the Ici-Famille – Protection jeunesse program to the members, for information purposes. The objective is to present the pilot project, which aims to accompany families, notably immigrants, in the context of youth protection, a project deployed by Accueil Parrainage Outaouais (APO), in collaboration with the Direction de la protection de la jeunesse (DPJ) and public health services. This project is linked to file 2, social participation, of the 2026 Work Plan of the Commission. It aims to facilitate the understanding of the youth protection system, support families in their steps, foster a relationship of trust between families and services, and contribute to better collaboration between the different actors involved. This service is based on an adapted and inclusive approach, taking into account the cultural, linguistic, and social realities of the families accompanied.

The presentation highlights the importance of accompaniment from the first contacts with the youth protection system, in order to reduce misunderstandings, tensions, and the risks of isolation experienced by some families. The approach consists of explaining to parents the objectives of the intervention, as well as the services and support that the DPJ can offer to families. It is recalled that the role of the DPJ is to ensure the safety and supervision of children and families, in a framework where rights, obligations, and responsibilities must be respected by all parties. The presenter explains that a reception agent leads integration sessions, including a presentation of the DPJ system, a complete information session on how the system works and on parenting skills, as well as on the objectives pursued and information on the role of the DPJ in supporting the education of children. The reception agent also plays a role of accompaniment for families and support for staff. It is mentioned that the intervention takes into account the cultural shocks and cultural changes that can be experienced by families. It is mentioned that the Ici Famille project is based on three components: an information component, an accompaniment component, and an institutional collaboration component.

A particular emphasis is placed on intercultural mediation, which is based on a principle of neutrality. This approach allows for intervention between families and institutions, fostering dialogue and improving mutual understanding. When starting interventions in the school environment, APO noted a decrease in reports. Thus, it was observed that schools communicate more with the project team, which allows, in some cases, to avoid placements, thus contributing to reducing the instability experienced by children. These results are presented as a success. In conclusion, the wish to maintain this program is expressed, considering the positive impact on families, the climate of trust established, and the capacity of families to settle certain situations by themselves. This project has complemented certain existing services. When a referral is made, families benefit from more services and accompaniment, contributing to their settlement, integration, and accompaniment, in accordance with the objectives and mission of the project.

Exchange period

General comments: Members congratulate those responsible for the work accomplished, highlighting its importance for the first generations of immigrants. A question is raised regarding the means to support the renewal of the service, considering the needs expressed by families and the community. When a referral is made, families benefit from more services and accompaniment. The organization mentions that if the need is there, the service will follow, knowing that accompaniment is necessary.

Language: Clarifications are requested on the capacity of the service to reach families from various linguistic backgrounds. APO explains that the team is composed of 14 people and that services are offered in 13 different languages, in addition to the use of a bank of interpreters, to ensure the accessibility and understanding of the information transmitted.

Accompaniment: Clarifications are requested on the accompaniment approach. It is mentioned that the project is based on intercultural mediation, founded on neutrality, allowing for intervention between families and institutions, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding.

Collaboration with school environments: A question is asked about the impact of the project in the school environment. It is indicated that, since the beginning of the interventions in schools, a decrease in reports has been observed. Schools communicate more with the team. A climate of trust has been established, allowing some families to settle situations with this project, this support.

Contact: A question is asked regarding the procedures to get in touch with the service, the project being considered interesting, some members mentioning that they were not aware of it before. It is answered that the service can be contacted from the beginning of a situation, that mediation is possible, and that referrals can be made, notably to guide children towards appropriate resources, including the auberge. It is specified that reports can be made directly by the resource, and that in an emergency situation, solutions are always sought. It is mentioned that a protocol could be developed.

Cultural differences: A member highlights that it is a beautiful project, particularly important for immigrant families, because of cultural differences and expressions that can be misinterpreted, situations that she indicates are frequent. It is reassuring to know that this service exists, notably in a context of welcoming families. To conclude, a member mentions that the Commissioner for Children's Well-being and Rights will be in Gatineau, at the Université du Québec en Outaouais on March 19 and invites partners to participate.