MINUTES – PUBLIC – ARTS, CULTURE, LITERATURE AND HERITAGE COMMISSION (CACLP)

Statutory item: Cultural infrastructure - Information

Bibliothèque Guy-Sanche

The presentation of the performances of the three finalists took place before the public on June 1st, and the jury selected the winner on June 2nd. It is specified that the file will be handled in camera to allow for the presentation of the three finalists as well as the winning project. Acceptance of the project by the municipal council is scheduled for July 7th. The file is progressing positively and aims for the realization of a major library.

Centre des arts vivants

The performing arts center project is being reoriented towards a "Plan B" to meet short-term needs.

La Filature

The organization is currently awaiting a response to its grant application submitted to the ministère de la Culture et des Communications, while additional financing efforts are underway.

Ateliers du Ruisseau

In parallel, the project is progressing to the plans and specifications stage for the layout of the spaces, and a permit application is being prepared to allow for the start of work. The project aims in particular to contribute to the vitality of the downtown area and to the development of visual arts creation.

Musée régional de l’Outaouais

The file remains under analysis, with discussions between the City and the ministère de la Culture et des Communications.

Auditorium du Cégep de l’Outaouais

A draft memorandum of understanding has been submitted to the Cégep by the City, which is awaiting comments from the partner.

Following the presentation, a member raises concerns regarding the future of the premises at 135, rue Eddy as well as the conditions for relocating artists to the Ateliers du Ruisseau at 75, promenade du Portage, particularly in relation to costs and the state of the space layout. The Service indicates that it does not have information at this stage regarding the future of the current premises (135, rue Eddy) and specifies that a follow-up will be carried out. It mentions that a meeting is planned with the organization to address the progress of the project, recalls the need to ensure the financial viability of the project, and highlights the existence of a municipal rent support program for artist studios that can mitigate the impact of cost increases.

Maude Guy joins the meeting via videoconference at 1:52 p.m.

10.1 Support for maintaining cultural budgets in schools

Julie Martineau presents the impacts of the changes made to the budgets intended for cultural measures in schools. She indicates that, despite an initial announcement of maintenance, these budgets have been integrated into a global envelope, leading to competition with other school needs. She highlights the risks of inequality and a decrease in access to culture, as well as an observed decline in certain activities, notably the acquisition of books. She mentions that the cultural sector is requesting guarantees to ensure the protection of these budgets and the maintenance of their initial purpose. She reads the following recommendation:

CONSIDERING THAT the City of Gatineau, through its cultural policy, recognizes the right of all its citizens to access and participate in culture;

CONSIDERING THAT the school is a flagship institution for access, transmission, and promotion of culture for all children in Gatineau and Quebec without distinction of age, origin, condition, or socioeconomic status;

CONSIDERING THAT the Cultural Policy of the City of Gatineau emphasizes that culture allows access to knowledge and learning, and that it promotes academic success and the development of skills among young people;

CONSIDERING THAT reading is the foundation of learning and that it strengthens literacy and graduation rates while promoting the French language and Quebec culture in all its diversity, in a global context of weakening local cultures;

CONSIDERING THAT culture promotes individual well-being and self-esteem among young people, that it contributes to the maintenance of their good mental health, and that it is, by its unifying character, a tool for social cohesion, rapprochement, integration, and inclusion;

CONSIDERING THAT nearly half of Gatineau's schools show a high deprivation index and that, under these conditions, the school as an institution plays a key role in terms of access and transmission of culture;

CONSIDERING THAT the proposed reform would weaken the Gatineau and Quebec cultural ecosystem, affecting its authors, creators, artists, artisans, as well as its independent publishing houses and bookstores, its broadcasters, and its visual arts and museum institutions;

The Arts, Culture, Letters and Heritage Commission of the City of Gatineau: CACLP-2026-02

• Supports the request made to the Quebec government to review its ongoing reform aimed at implementing the centralized school measure "Special pedagogical projects, sports, cultural and social activities"

• Supports the request demanding to maintain and guarantee dedicated and protected budgets through distinct measures for:

o The acquisition of books as well as the development of reading corners in classrooms and school libraries.

o The "Culture in the Schools" programs and "school outings in a cultural environment."

• Recommends that the municipal council support this initiative.

Proposed by Marie Roy Supported by Lisanne Rheault-Leblanc Adopted