Gatineau presents its 2022-2026 Action Plan for Families, Seniors and People with disabilities

Sophie Demers

Gatineau reported on the actions taken through the 2020-2021 Transitional Action Plan for Families, Seniors and Persons with disabilities and presented their 2022-2026 integrated plan outlining objectives for the upcoming years.

The 2022-2026 plan aims to improve the quality of life for families, seniors, and people with disabilities. The objectives in the plan follow four main guidelines. The first guideline is participation which focuses on encouraging target groups to voice their opinions, get involved, and participate. The second guideline consists of providing easily accessible information on municipal, community and health services. Accessibility and inclusion are the third guideline, which provides physically accessible and affordable activities, places, and services. The final guideline focuses on living environments, providing services that meet mobility, housing, and security needs.

“The number of seniors in the population will double over the next 20 years in Gatineau. In 2041, there will be more than 92,515 citizens aged 65 and over,” said Denis Girouard, President of the Commission des aînés and Lac-Beauchamp councillor. “Effective immediately, the City of Gatineau wishes to take all necessary measures by adapting its funding, services, and policies to prepare for this new reality. The integrated action plan is part of these efforts to make the city more inclusive and accessible for all.”

The objectives of the 2022-2026 Integrated Plan for Families, Seniors and People with disabilities are:

• Collaborate with the community to identify needs and best practices to improve quality of life
  
• Support partner organizations with projects that meet specific needs
  
• Develop knowledge and sensitivity to needs and issues experienced
  
• Facilitate access to municipal information and services considering various literacy levels
• Support the development of accessible public facilities and infrastructure
  
• Ensure easy access and participation in sports, leisure and cultural activities
  
• Support opportunities for engagement, and social participation and connection of target groups
  
• Increase the promotion of municipal initiatives to target groups
  
• Gatineau estimates that to meet these objectives, an investment of $1,487,600 over three years and $306,200 for 2023 are required.

Gatineau reports that they achieved most of the actions outlined in the transitional action plan in 2020 and 2021. Gatineau purchased specialized equipment, increased the number of free activities available, and created the ENFEX day camp program which is an integration program that focuses on the participation of youth with special needs in Gatineau’s day camp programs. Several parks and infrastructure underwent work to improve accessibility and two new exercise routes were added to parks.

For housing, many construction projects were put in place with accessible and adapted housing and accessible public transit. This includes projects in the Plateau, Habitations Morin, Square Urbania, Deschênes and Centre Inter-Section Aylmer. Municipal government workers were also given training on workplace inclusion and hiring processes for people with disabilities. The municipal government also highlights that they are continuing their Equal Access to Employment Program.

Photo: Courtesy of Gatineau