MINUTES – PUBLIC – GATINEAU, HEALTHY CITY COMMISSION (CGVS) – 3rd meeting – June 4, 2026 – 9:01 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

Review of Actions: Concertation for Healthy Living Habits in the Outaouais

Presentation

Jeanie Pinard-Duhaime and Patrick-Robert Meunier presented the 2022-2025 report on the Concertation pour les saines habitudes de vie en Outaouais and requested the Commission's support regarding funding. The mandate of this coalition is to promote healthy living habits through partner mobilization and the implementation of regional actions. Several initiatives have been carried out, particularly in early childhood, schools, nutrition, active transportation, and the development of living environments, highlighting the importance of intersectoral collaboration. It was noted that the recent withdrawal of funding weakens these actions, and support is requested to urge the Government of Quebec to ensure the continuity and maintenance of regional expertise. It was added that the work of the Concertation began in 2028 and that numerous actions have been carried out since.

Discussion

Members expressed their support for the coalition and recognized the importance of prevention and promotion actions for healthy living habits. The relevance of intersectoral collaboration and the structuring role of the coalition in the region were highlighted. Discussions focused on the wording of the recommendation, particularly to specify the request for the restoration of funding by the Government of Quebec and to better reflect the scope of the actions taken.

CONSIDERING THAT the Commission Gatineau, Ville en santé committed in its 2026 work plan to provide oversight and promote the mobilization of stakeholders for the implementation of measures favoring healthy living habits;

CONSIDERING THAT the withdrawal of funding from the Tables intersectorielles régionales pour les saines habitudes de vie weakens recognized initiatives that contribute to the prevention and promotion of healthy habits and to the creation of health-promoting environments, particularly among young people and more vulnerable populations in the Outaouais and Gatineau;

CONSIDERING THAT the Concertation pour les saines habitudes de vie en Outaouais contributes significantly to deploying various projects;

Recommendation

The Commission Gatineau, Ville en santé recommends that the City Council:

CGVS-2026-02 • request that the Government of Quebec restore funding to the Table intersectorielle régionale pour les saines habitudes de vie en Outaouais so that it can ensure the continuity of actions and the maintenance of the expertise put in place.

Proposed by Isabelle Cousineau Supported by Karina Osiecka Adopted

Presentation – Revitalization Project for Parc l'Oiseau-Bleu: Inclusive Baseball Hub

Annie Martin, accompanied by Marco Allain and Hugues Ouimet, presented the project aimed at revitalizing Parc l'Oiseau-Bleu into an inclusive sports hub. The objective of the presentation was to obtain a recommendation from the Commission to support efforts to seek funding, particularly through grants and partnerships, for the project's realization. The presentation highlighted the growth of women's baseball and adaptive baseball, as well as the increased need for adapted infrastructure. The project aims to modernize existing facilities, notably through the development of a synthetic field, improved lighting, and the construction of accessible infrastructure, to promote increased and inclusive use of the site. A second phase is also envisioned, aiming to enhance the offering by adding complementary facilities from a multisport development perspective. The anticipated benefits include improved universal accessibility, increased support for women's and adaptive sports, and an increase in the City's hosting capacity and sports reach. The project is part of a desire to promote inclusion, citizen participation, and the development of sports infrastructure.

Discussion

Members praised the quality of the presentation and the commitment of the project promoters, particularly highlighting the positive impacts in terms of inclusion, the development of women's sports, and universal accessibility. Jeneviève Caron left the meeting at 11:06 a.m. Quorum was maintained.

Discussions focused on the challenges of financing sports infrastructure, the place of projects intended for underrepresented groups, and the need for a global vision in the planning of equipment at the city level. One member expressed concerns regarding the balance of investments between different sports and territories, as well as accessibility and mobility. Christian Laforest left the meeting at 11:09 a.m. Quorum was lost. It was agreed that the meeting would continue for informational purposes only. No decision could be made.

The members present, namely Isabelle Cousineau, Timmy Jutras, Sylvie Lafontaine, François Rodrigue, Karina Osiecka, and Jeanie Pinard-Duhaime, unanimously supported the project to assist the Association de Baseball Féminin de l’Outaouais in its efforts to submit a grant application to the Fondation des Blue Jays for the revitalization of Parc l'Oiseau-Bleu and to make it an inclusive sports hub. They also support any other funding efforts in this regard.