District 4: Bettyna Bélizaire, Plateau district’s Action Gatineau candidate

Representing Action Gatineau in the upcoming municipal election, Plateau Residents’ Association (ARP) President Bettyna Bélizaire recently officially announced that she’s running to become Plateau district councillor.

During an online event hosted by Action Gatineau on May 9, Bélizaire launched her campaign saying she aims to use the political platform to continue positively impacting her community, but with greater influence. Having served as the ARP’s President for four years, she is confident to have the experience, expertise and passion to be the ideal candidate to lead district 4 for the next four years. “For me, it was easy to continue to support them,” Bélizaire said. “I think I have the qualities needed because I’m able to work with and listen to people.”

Living in the Plateau since 2015 - and having contributed to numerous community initiatives and organizations since then - Bélizaire says she has a pulse for what residents need and want from their municipal government. Her main priorities as it stands include enhancing Gatineau’s leisure infrastructure for teenagers, and facilitating better consultation protocols with local neighbourhood associations and residents, and to adjust the city’s urban planning practices.

One of her main concerns is that a lack of services for residents is failing to accommodate Gatineau’s rapidly growing population. “All our needs will multiply,” Bélizaire said, stating that the Plateau needs a new community centre.

Praising current councillor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette’s contributions with the role since 2017, Bélizaire said she would be honoured with the opportunity to follow in her footsteps and serve the population even further. “She did an amazing job,” Bélizaire said, stating that she achieved all her campaign aspirations. “Of course, there will need to be continuity in her work. But we need to ensure to address needs that weren’t prevalent during her mandate.”

Both single mothers in politics, Bélizaire says she is thrilled to join Marquis-Bissonnette with Action Gatineau and hopes to make a substantial impact.