None in Aylmer

Gatineau unveils projects for Canada’s 150th anniversary

Gatineau recently identified 11 projects to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. There are events in Masson-Angers, Gatineau and Hull, but nothing major is yet scheduled for Aylmer.

According to Lucerne councillor Mike Duggan, Aylmer will still feel a part of the festivities.  “We are offering our support for several projects, but no Aylmer organizations, to my knowledge, responded to the call in a serious manner. There are many things going on involving Aylmer, and you'll likely notice interesting things in 2017, outside of that specific program,” Duggan told the Bulletin.

Nathalie Brunette, manager for Gatineau’s Comité du 150e - Gatineau 2017, confirmed that no projects were proposed to the committee from an Aylmer group or to be held in Aylmer.

“Aylmer will not be left behind; we are working with city services to have events under the colours of the 150th anniversary held across the city in 2017,” said Brunette. “Further announcements will come by the end of 2016.”

Brunette explained that the call for proposals was circulated to the media on February 16, 2016, as well as on Gatineau’s and Outaouais Tourism’s platforms. “It was also relayed to all committee members who posted the message within their respect networks,” she continued.

The 11 projects unveiled by the city in early July are backed by Gatineau’s Support Fund for Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017. The fund contains $325,000; $100,000 from Outaouais Tourism and $225,000 from Gatineau.

“Each organization can submit one project. The themes are 'environment' and 'First Nations'. Gatineau counts as one organization and council unanimously picked Lac-Beauchamp,” reported Duggan.

The selection committee, formed by three members of Gatineau’s 150th anniversary committee, two members from the municipal administration, one citizen, and one from the business community, received 20 projects. The committee refused six, deemed three as ineligible, and retained 11. The deadline was May 1, 2016.

The project selection criteria were threefold: quality, innovative approach, programming, professionalism, and social impacts (40%), tourist and economic spin-offs (30%) and exposure of the event and of the city (30%).

Some events will be city-wide, such as Gatineau Ville Lecture scheduled for spring, 2017. Moreover, the location of other events remains undetermined, such as 150 ans une épopée that will take place on June 29-30, 2017, and the project Sesqui, Canada 150’s signature project.

Aylmer councillor Josée Lacasse is on vacation and unable to answer our questions on this file. Richard M. Bégin also did not respond.