A strategic framework for the city of Gatineau
Why develop a strategy?
To have general and specific goals,
To propose specific tactics for implementing goals,
To consider means to reach goals,
To imagine a future while taking the present into consideration, but without limiting the vision,
To distinguish our city from Ottawa while benefiting from our proximity to it, and
To take advantage of our strengths and overcome our weaknesses.
The 6 General Goals
To live better,
Sustainable development,
A thriving cultural life,
Dignity and pride,
To become a destination, and
Integration of the social, geographic and historic milieu.
The 6 Priority Goals
(This list is not in order of importance. To be imagined as a whole and in the context of the General Goals:--)
A green riverside city,
An urban centre of French culture,
A paradise for recreation and tourism,
Village-style neighbourhoods,
Sustainable development, and
A welcoming city.
The means to reach the Goals
As a general rule the best way to reach a goal is to give someone the responsibility of achieving them. Each Goal would have its own Action Plan. The City Council should create a planning and promotion committee (PPC), given a small administrative budget, for each of the 6 Priority Goals. A Councillor would be named as liaison officer to each committee.
The ``green city`` is both a slogan and a Priority Goal. Few cities have as much green space or huge parks, one at its heart and one at its back door, Leamy and Gatineau, not to mention Jacques Cartier. These parks must be planned, protected, and developed. -Managing the shores of our rivers for multiple uses. - Branding our parks and rivers to attract new residents and tourists: not to reserve them for a few golfers but not leaving them empty either. - Bicycle and walking paths, parking lots, pleasure boating, pools for model boats, picnic areas and sites for culture - for concerts, exhibits, etc., public pavilions, pools, playgrounds, sports fields, botanical gardens, an arboretum - so many possibilities over time - boat races - a progressive environmental policy - protecting green spaces and planning mini-parks in new developments - reducing pesticides. And as for our golf courses, attracting or creating national and international tournaments. Encouraging use of our public transit system. Changing the name and mandate of the Société de Transport de l'Outaouais, to Corporation du transport en commun de Gatineau, with responsibility for buses and the rail network and all other connected services to promote public transit. Lowering bus fares.
``An urban centre of French culture`` is also a slogan and a Priority Goal. Attracting international organizations of the ``francophonie,`` and Canadian language agencies (Treasury Board, the department of Canadian Heritage, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages), research centres, local offices of francophone non-governmental organizations (NGOs), any organizations which promote French culture. Inspiring a sense of pride among residents in the quality of their French by working with schools, CEGEPS, and universities and the professors`association, school boards, media, holding regional competitions with good prizes. Establishing international literary competitions with prestige prizes. Promoting renowned international theatre series and a local theatre company, attracting Canadian and international conferences. Stressing French cuisine at restaurants and culinary events.
Nearby we have Leamy Lake and Gatineau Parks, kilometres of rivers` shoreline, and ski hills. Establishing all-seasons inns near all our natural sites. Creating a lumberjacks` festival and an historic raftsmen village near the Alonzo Wright bridge on the Gatineau River. Organizing international ski, boat, cycling, running competitions. Helping several youth hostels to open. Revitalizing the old neighbourhoods of Hull, Aylmer, Gatineau Point, etc. to lend them the ambiance of a bygone era. Attractions of a green city.
In the spirit of every city-dweller is someone who wants the community atmosphere of a village. The more they feel shut in at home, the better they will integrate. This is an important aspect of an improved quality of life. To promote this community feeling there must be local sports teams, cultural activities, all kinds of local events, including some for youth and the elderly, volunteering, beautification projects, and security. These would be the mandate of small recreation committees created by the municipal council in each of the former cities, even in the smallest towns. Competition among the communities within Gatineau will integrate everyone. The Recreation committees would be additional contact points with the municipal council.
Attracting businesses which deal with the Goals mentioned above. Promoting wood products industries by establishing a design centre for wood products (why must we always find wood products at Ikea!) Turning to research centers, associations, conferences, - Leading federal government suppliers to Gatineau. - Organizing an Economic Development Secretariat for the national capital region with Ottawa, and exchange ``ambassador`` councillors between the two City councils, inviting them to sit without voting rights. Our region, with combined cities, is now the fourth largest urban population in Canada, which gives us considerable economic force. There should be mechanisms to benefit from this. - Using the Tourism development committee of the Gatineau Valley to work with neighbouring to enhance the touristic image of the whole region.
Big cities are cosmopolitan, made up of many multi-cultural communities. Currently Ottawa`s population is around 19% multi-cultural while Gatineau`s is around 7%. Gatineau should have a Welcome committee, volunteers, an information and sensitization campaign to the public. A multi-lingual municipal linguistic policy. - Hiring by public institutions from cultural communities and from the English-speaking community, in proportion with their numbers in the population.