Gatineau Election: Mitigomijokan

Candidate: Rachel Cousineau, Équipe Mario Aubé

Rachel Cousineau, Équipe Mario Aubé candidate for Mitigomijokan, has been a public servant for over 18 years. She founded the Ukrainian Donation Centre and is a co-owner of a local hockey school. Her education background is in history and Indigenous studies.

1. Why are you running for councillor, and what experience or qualities make you the right person for the job?

Originally from Aylmer, I want to put my experience and roots to work for our community, particularly in the Mitigomijokan sector. After 18 years in federal public administration, I have acquired solid experience in management, governance and infrastructure. As the founder of the Ukrainian Donation Centre and co-owner of a hockey school, I know how to mobilize and deliver concrete results. A good listener, rigourous and transparent, I want to transform experience and empathy into tangible actions to improve the quality of life, safety and local services for Aylmer's families, seniors and businesses.

2. How do you plan to balance the need for housing with the pace of development, given that infrastructure has not kept up, resulting in service gaps?

We need to build better, not just more. In Mitigomijokan, development must align with the real capacity of our infrastructure and services. I prioritize smart densification, close to schools, public transit, and green spaces. Maintaining and modernizing existing networks must be prioritized before any new sprawl. By promoting sustainable projects, eco-friendly materials, and social diversity, we will ensure balanced development. The key lies in integrated planning and consultation with citizens, so that each project meets the real needs of our community.

3. With increased development in the area, how will you protect the ecological corridors, such as the Champlain corridor in Aylmer?

Protecting ecological corridors, such as the Champlain corridor, is essential to Aylmer's quality of life and biodiversity. Every development project must comply with relevant regulations and undergo an independent and transparent environmental assessment. These analyses will determine the conditions that must be met to preserve ecological continuity. These requirements will be incorporated directly into municipal permits, along with rigourous monitoring. We will work with residents, experts, and local organizations to ensure the conservation of these natural spaces, the true green lungs of our region and a collective heritage to be protected for future generations.


4. With increased development in Aylmer, there is growing concern about the preservation of local heritage, especially as many historic homes are neglected, then demolished to make way for multi-unit buildings. What is your plan to protect and preserve Aylmer's heritage?

Aylmer must protect its soul and identity. Too many heritage homes have been lost to anonymous construction. I want to strengthen conservation criteria before any demolition and create a heritage restoration fund. We must support owners in maintaining buildings of interest and better supervise projects in historic areas. Heritage is not an obstacle to development; it is a lever of attractiveness, pride, and economic vitality for our neighbourhoods. Preserving our collective memory also means building a future rooted in our values ​​and our history.

5. Anglophones are numerous across Gatineau. How will you ensure they have equitable access to city information and services in English?

I am committed to ensuring equitable access to municipal information and services in English. Gatineau is a city where English is widely spoken, so communications must reflect this reality. By improving the translation of documents, signage, and the availability of bilingual staff, we will strengthen civic participation and the trust of Anglophones in the City. Access to information is a matter of respect and fairness: every citizen must be able to understand and fully participate in municipal life, regardless of their language.

6. Aylmer’s residents are passionate about their community. When new development projects are proposed, how will you engage with both developers and residents to address any concerns that arise?

Dialogue must begin at the planning stage. I want to establish a clear, predictable, and transparent process between developers, citizens, and the City. Each project must include information sessions, public consultations, and an online feedback space. The concerns collected will be published, and developers will be required to address them before obtaining their permit. This model fosters trust and allows for projects to be adjusted to better integrate into the community, protect the environment, and respect neighbourhood identity. In Aylmer, development must happen with citizens, not despite them.