City launches new Economic Development Tactical Intervention Committee

In an effort to shoulder the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ville de Gatineau has decided to form what it calls an Economic Development Tactical Intervention Committee, under the management of the city’s economic development secretariat. According to the city’s March 18 press release, the committee will be in charge of monitoring the activities of local partners to assist local businesses during a very difficult time for many. It states that plans will be established to bolster local economic activity for the short term.

Presently, the committee consists of representatives from ID Gatineau, the Chambre de Commerce de Gatineau, Export Outaouais, Tourisme Outaouais, Coopérative de développement régionale Outaouais-Laurentides (CDROL), Mon GPS and Culture Outaouais. The École des entrepreneurs du Québec will also play a role by providing businesses with virtual information sessions and answers to their questions. Additional organizations and partners may join the committee, depending on how the situation evolves.

Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin explained in the press release that it was crucial to involve local economic partners to guide businesses in the right direction through a difficult economic situation and to buy local goods to support them.

“Several businesses are going through a hard time, and local solutions are possible,” he said. “I invite you to support local businesses. The more we spend in our own community, the more we will help our people continue to work.”