AGAP recalls 2023 and looks to 2024
Djeneba Dosso
L’Association des Gens d'Affaires et Professionnels du Vieux Gatineau hosted their 20th general assembly on March 27. The annual meeting was an opportunity to look back at the triumphs and challenges of 2023 as they head into a new fiscal year. This year’s theme, When we love, is intended to highlight the contribution of its members, the administrative board, and Gatineau residents who have all devoted themselves to the revitalization of Vieux-Gatineau over the last two decades.
General manager Pauline Bouchard has been with AGAP since its early beginning in 2003. As she watched what was then an idea materialize into an association, she attributes the hard work, perseverance, and dedication to love.
“When we love, we don’t count the hours—we get involved, we collaborate, we give, we go for it and we assume leadership,” she said. “[Love] is a feeling that transports, nourishes and allows us to move forward and move mountains, especially when it’s done collectively, in solidarity and with joy for the greater good.”
2023 was a fruitful year for the business association, which saw an overall profit of $64,150. This figure would have not been reached without generous donations that reached $25,000 in 2023 compared to $2,000 just a year prior. The association was also the recipient of new funding, including a government subsidy of $73,000 and an $18,000 grant from the Community Foundations of Canada to spearhead their upcoming projects.
AGAP was still subject to losses, the most important being due to the minimal marketing, low bookings, and performance of their event space Propulsion Scène, which cost them nearly $7,000. The issue of fewer events also spilled onto their local market expenses, which dropped from roughly $11,000 in 2022 to just $2,200 in 2023.
Heading into 2024, AGAP holds 47 collaborative members committed to developing Vieux-Gatineau’s commercial sector and achieving their vision of revitalizing the neighbourhood. This year will mark the end of the restoration projects on Notre-Dame street, allowing the association to shift their focus to Main street. In order to continue promoting “buying and consuming” locally, AGAP will be joining forces with other revitalization associations spread throughout Gatineau. Vision Centre-Ville (Downtown), APICA (Aylmer), ACJCG (Jacques-Cartier and Gréber) and RGA (Buckingham, Masson-Angers and l’Ange-Gardien) will all be partnering with AGAP on varying projects. These inter-association collaborations aim to address the city’s stalling commercial development.
Gatineau residents can expect a signature project between AGAP, APICA and ACJCG: two new public spaces in front of Campus 3, located at the intersection of Notre-Dame and Jean-René-Monette, a new entertainment space similar to the outdoor stage on Notre-Dame placed on Main street, along with additional seating areas and benches in the neighbourhood.
The general meeting was also an occasion for the association to announce its new campaign “Les bons d’or” which will be starting in June. The project, valued at $5,000, will resemble a scavenger hunt on a broader scale to bring people into local stores. Ninety goods carrying a value of $30 will be hidden in 30 member businesses. When found they can later be used in other participating businesses to build clientele, stimulate sales, and help residents discover local gems. This campaign aims to target Vieux-Gatineau residents but also welcomes people from external neighbourhoods.
When AGAP looks back at 2023, they can remember it as the year they obtained the keys to their new office and celebrated 20 years of revitalization and commercial development in Vieux-Gatineau. For the association’s president Daniel Baril, this year was like no other.
“2023 represented a year of challenges, big movements, major works, relocation, project completion, project developments and celebration,” he said. “An exceptional year where we [...] injected a dose of unconditional love in all our actions.”
Photo caption: On March 27, business association AGAP held their 20th general assembly at their new office located on 330 Notre-Dame street. The meeting was an opportunity to look back at 2023’s wins and losses as they headed into a new year. Feelings of gratitude were echoed as the contributions of its members, administrative board, volunteers, and Gatineau residents were highlighted. As they head into 2024, AGAP intends to continue devoting itself to the revitalization and commercial development of Vieux-Gatineau. Pictured from left to right: Pauline Bouchard, Laura Dufour and Daniel Baril.
Photo credit: Djeneba Dosso
