--Gatineau unveils new action plan for culture and heritage

Aiming to highlight Gatineau’s identity and enhance local quality of life, the city of Gatineau has renewed its action plan for culture and heritage policies. According to a press release issued by the city on December 8, the action plan will see Gatineau invest approximately $3.26 million to put in place a three-year action plan (2021-2023).

Most notably, the action plan is intended to support cultural development, partnerships, culture and heritage organizations, and programming in municipal libraries. It also plans on benefitting local artists, promoting local projects, and expanding Gatineau’s cultural diversity. The press release added that the action plan comes with a $1.2-plus million funding request to the Ministère de la culture et des communications du Québec (MCC) for already established heritage sites. The total cost is estimated at $4.48 million. City officials say they should administer the action plan in collaboration with the MCC, clarifying that the plan includes objectives established by both parties.

Aylmer district councillor Audrey Bureau noted that the action plan includes funding to provide public art surrounding the Lucy-Faris Library’s upcoming construction site to maintain Old Aylmer’s vibrancy throughout the project’s completion. “We’ll try to attenuate the construction site’s impacts,” Bureau said. “We really need to respond to public needs in terms of established heritage.”

Proud of what the investment means for local residents and artists, President of Gatineau’s Commission des arts, de la culture, des lettres, et du patrimoine and L’Orée-du-Parc district councillor Isabelle N. Miron was confident that the city would continue investing in its history, its culture and its identity. City officials explained that the action plan was put in place following a series of consultations with local cultural and heritage, as well as municipal service representatives.

On November 4, the city approved a $1.858 million subsidy to support heritage buildings and historic real estate.