Gatineau Elections: Lucerne
Candidate: Sonia Ben-Afra, Action Gatineau
Born and raised in Aylmer, Sonia Ben-Afra is currently working as Assistant General Director at Transition Quebec, a Gatineau organization that transforms shipping containers into temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness. Previously, Ben- was a community organizer with Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais (CISSSO). She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Université du Québec en Outaouais.
1. Why are you running for councillor, and what experience or qualities make you the right person for the job?
I was born and raised in Aylmer. Representing the Lucerne community would be a source of great pride. My background in social work led me to become involved in several community organizations, including a community center and the CISSSO, where I supported community development in Gatineau and the Outaouais region.
Today, I work at Village Transition, an innovative project providing shelter and respite for people experiencing homelessness. I have also served on several boards of directors, in the cultural, women's rights, and social causes sectors.
Committed, cheerful, and a good listener, I believe in people's potential and collective intelligence. I want to put my energy, values, and experience to work in Lucerne to build an inclusive, sustainable, and humane neighbourhood.
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?
For me, the housing crisis in Aylmer is primarily an affordable housing crisis. We need to refocus our efforts on these projects, while ensuring that development keeps pace with our infrastructure and services.
Major projects are coming, which is why it's essential to plan for a 25-year period, rather than seeking quick wins that become losses for the community. Moreover, the introduction of development fees, based on the principle that growth pays for growth, allows developers to contribute fairly, reducing the pressure on property taxes and therefore on current residents.
The key is to plan intelligently, invest in our services, and prioritize people before real estate speculation.
3. With increased development in the area, how will you protect the ecological corridors, such as the Champlain corridor in Aylmer?
Our team is clearly committed to protecting the environment and our natural habitats. Preserving ecological corridors, such as those in the Champlain and Deschênes sectors, as well as the Boucher Forest, is central to our development vision.
We believe in building near existing infrastructure and avoiding encroachment on sensitive areas. This is exactly what we are doing: supporting independent studies, collaborating with community partners, and taking concrete action, such as rezoning the Deschênes corridor into a park and securing funding for the Boucher Forest.
Protecting our ecosystems also means protecting the quality of life of our residents. That is why we will continue to plan Aylmer's development with a vision that is sustainable, responsible, and respectful of nature.
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's heritage is its soul and identity. It's what gives it its charm and tells our story. Having participated in several heritage events in Gatineau, I am particularly sensitive to the importance of preserving and promoting what connects us to our roots.
That's why we encouraged the updating of Aylmer's heritage inventory and tightened regulations to prevent neglect and unjustified demolition. We can now intervene on abandoned heritage buildings to ensure their preservation. Preserving our heritage in our planning means investing in the future without erasing our history.
5. Anglophones are numerous across Gatineau. How will you ensure they have equitable access to city information and services in English?
Having a predominantly English-speaking father, I'm well aware of this reality and the challenges it can pose. That's why I make sure my communications are bilingual and accessible to everyone, whether it's my door-to-door canvassing, my profile page on the Action Gatineau website, or my email responses.
For me, it's a matter of respect and fairness. Every citizen must be able to understand the information and fully participate in community and municipal life.
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?
It is essential to implement citizen consultations and participation from the outset. Citizens and developers must be able to exchange views and express their needs and concerns so that projects can be adjusted and prevent rejection, while ensuring genuine social acceptability.
This is why my team and I support the creation of a Public Participation Office to establish mandatory consultations independent of the City. We firmly believe in collective intelligence and want to make decisions with citizens, by consulting them and fully involving them in the process.
