Réponse du maire Bureau : À quand la gouvernance participative
À Gatineau, la réflexion sur la gouvernance participative s’est amorcée dès 2002, lors de l’élaboration du premier Plan stratégique de la Ville et s’est traduite par la quatrième direction stratégique municipale. Par la suite, la Ville, les acteurs du milieu et les citoyens ont énoncé les objectifs, les moyens et les approches privilégiés pour renforcer la culture de participation propre à Gatineau, dans le Cadre de référence en matière de participation des citoyens aux affaires municipales. Adopté par le conseil municipal en février 2005, le Cadre de référence a contribué à faire reconnaître Gatineau comme un chef de file au Québec dans la mise en place de la gouvernance participative. Des améliorations significatives apportées depuis deux ans. L’implantation de ces nouvelles façons de faire est progressive et graduelle et se fait avec la collaboration de tous pour favoriser l’enracinement de ces changements au sein de la population, du conseil municipal et de l’administration municipale.
L’un des volets que la Ville privilégie est celui des grandes politiques, qui guident les décisions et les actions municipales sur plusieurs années. L’élaboration de celles-ci est systématiquement soumise à des consultations publiques. Au cours des dernières années, les citoyens ont contribué à la réalisation des politiques culturelle, loisirs, sports et plein air, familiale, de l’habitation et auront bientôt la chance de participer à l’élaboration de la politique environnementale. La Ville sol licite aussi la participation citoyenne dans l’élaboration des grands projets comme le réaménagement du Parc des cèdres, la revitalisation de la rue Jacques-Cartier, le projet particulier d’urbanisme du centre ville de Gatineau, etc . Au fur et à mesure que le concept de gouvernance participative sera assimilé, son champ d’application s’élargira. Il est donc évident que Gatineau va de l’avant avec la mise en place du Cadre de référence en matière de participation des citoyens. Le rôle des citoyens dans le processus décisionnel à Gatineau a évolué pour le mieux depuis la fusion et continuera d’évoluer avec l’implantation du cadre de référence.
Nous mettons l’accent sur le respect du rôle des citoyens, des admi nistrateurs municipaux et du conseil municipal, pour assurer le réel fonctionnement de la démocratie municipale. Cette démocratie ne peut s’exercer en soumettant toutes les décisions municipales à la consultation publique. La Ville entend concentrer ses efforts pour créer une communauté inclusive, où tous participent à son évolution.
Marc Bureau
Maire de Gatineau
100e anniversaire du Mouvement Scout
Le Groupe Scout St-Paul d’Aylmer invite la population de Gatineau, les anciens animateurs et animatrices, gestionnaires, anciennes et anciens scouts à nous rencontrer aux Galeries Aylmer le samedi 12 mai prochain pour célébrer avec nous un anniversaire remarquable. Apportez vos photos, vidéos, diapositives, vos anciens uniformes, vos chansons, vos souvenirs de voyages scouts ou de camps, vos techniques, vos montages et surtout... votre sourire. On a hâte de vous voir.
Serge Parent et
Les scouts et la gestion du Groupe Scout St-Paul d’Aylmer.
Aylmer
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Idol contests
Ms Murray’s editorial on “Rethink the Idol contest?” reinforces my views on age-appropriate activities for children. Young people today seem to be in such a hurry to grow up. I realize it’s the influence of the media - movies, TV, music, music videos, etc.. Reality TV has created a series of imaginative ways for adults to be competitive. Though they were to appeal to adults, all generations seem to have embraced the genre. Although I say children want to grow up fast, we have to accept that sometimes it’s the adults who unconsciously push them in that direction. I would imagine it was adults (parents and teachers) who inspire the children to put on these Idol shows in schools because that is the current rage.
This isn’t new ! Although I think it’s an American institution, it’s the same parents who, I’m sure, once promoted their daughters to be in “child beauty contests” (remember Jonbenet Ramsay ?), so we can’t only blame our children for wanting to grow up before their time.
As adults and parents, it’s our responsibility to shepherd our children through their formative years. We should encourage them to participate in age-appropriate competitions. Sports are great for promoting competitiveness and have always been around. Recently, spelling bee competitions have been very popular. Academics should be encouraged as much as athletics because it will stand them in good stead when they get older.
Children will never stop wanting to be older than they are; it’s part of growing up. Our role as parents is to bring them along slowly and introduce them to new experiences when they can emotionally, intellectually handle it. We shouldn’t abdicate that responsibility to the media.
Steve d’Eça
Aylmer
Turning it into politics
I thank Dominic ParÈ for reminding us all of that there are still a few nationalist radicals among us here in Aylmer. I’ve lived in Aylmer for more than 30 years and it’s always been roughly 50/50 French and English. I remember trick or treating when I was a kid and most of the houses I visited were English residences. Some might remember a complaint to The Bulletin last year about not being served in French at a flower shop? The backlash of unsympathetic responses is proof that this little town (oops, I mean Sector) of Aylmer is not a separatist community. The person was only concerned that Safety Rules and Guidelines should be in both languages for the best intersts of the public...and rightfully so! So publicly responding in such a narrow-minded manner is in bad taste. Some of us speak English, some speak French, and most of us speak both — and for the most part we all get along just fine. Life’s too short to be so petty over language!
Dave Beauchamp
Aylmer
Reply on signs at pool
In reply to D. Paré’s letter, I am sorry she missed my point: simply have English safety signs at the pool for that segment of the Aylmer population, 1/2 size, under the French lettering, or whatever.
Yes I have heard of Bill 101 but have not been able to obtain an English version. However, I do have an English copy of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms signed by René Levesque. Section 10 states that “every person has a right to full and equal recognition without distinction” and, language is included in that section.
E. Daly
Aylmer
Language and pool tips
I am appalled with the answer Dominique Paré gave for “Pool tips only in French”. She made two mistakes: first, what is her loss if there is a sign in the English? Will it help people who can understand only English and maybe save some lives? The second issue is Quebec’s official language. When she demands Canada treat her equally, it is only fair to expect Quebec to treat its English-speaking people equally.
As an English-speaking resident, I am paying the same taxes as a francophone. I deserve to be served in the same manner and quality as are francophones. When Ms Paré travels as a tourist, it might be different -- tourists are not tax-payers.
Charter rights should work equally for French and English speakers in all provinces, so long as Quebec is part of Canada. Closing our eyes to realities do not erase realities about English language dominance in technology, population, and as a means of international communication.
To my knowledge, Ontario signs are all bilingual, as are driver’s licences, health cards, etc., unlike Quebec ones. Ms Paré can see those signs as soon as she crosses one of the bridges to Ottawa.
Burhan Celik
Aylmer
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