The family

This policy uses a broad definition of the family, as follows:

Any combination of two or more persons who are bound together by ties of mutual consent, birth and/or adoption or placement and who, together, assume responsibilities for variant functions throughout their lives¹.

This definition also includes people living on their own who may have family connections without necessarily living under the same roof.

1. The Vanier Institute of the Family, www.ivfamille.ca/about/about.html, October 7, 2004.e 2004.

Towards an Ideal for Families

On October 12, Ville de Gatineau officially launched its family policy around the theme of Towards an Ideal for Families.

What is a family policy?

The purpose of Gatineau's family policy is to establish a common framework for activities and decision-making aimed at benefiting families. Its goal is to help families by providing equitable and accessible services that will improve their quality of life.

The goal of the family policy is to clearly set out:

• what defines a family
• Gatineau's roles
• the values
• the principles
• the orientations
• the axes for municipal intervention in a city designed for families.

This policy stems from Gatineau's desire to share with its partners a common vision, one to which everyone will contribute in accordance with their mission and environment. It encourages them to foster their growth and improve their quality of life.

After all, by improving the lives of today's families, we prepare the future of tomorrow's.

The policy development process rallied a number of partners, the public, members of Council and municipal staff for more than two years. The needs and points of view expressed by the participants were heard and considered. This is the foundation on which the contents of this policy were built.

• Family policy (French only)

The orientations of the family policy

The Ville de Gatineau has identified two main orientations:

1. develop harmonious and sustainable communities
2. reduce inequities to achieve a participatory and equitable community.

These will guide each of the axes of intervention, which, in turn, will specify the objectives that will be formulated and defined in the action plan.

Gatineau's axes of intervention

Living in Gatineau already means enjoying a healthy living environment, close to many services, amidst dynamic individuals. The purpose of the axes of intervention that Gatineau sees for families is to improve the well-being of Gatineau families and design the city around the family.

• Safety: improve the safety of people and places, as well as the feeling of security, so families can live in a pleasant environment and their members can grow.
• Housing: give families a chance to have access to affordable and quality housing by working with different organizations operating on its territory, as well as with different levels of government.
• Health and the environment: work on the quality of the environment and contribute to the physical and mental well-being of families.
• Recreation, sport and culture: enhance participation by families in recreational, sport and cultural activities, regardless of their economic, physical or cultural condition or where they live within the territory, so they can get and stay physically and mentally fit.
• Transportation: make it easier for families to get around by providing different modes of transportation.

And now …

On the heels of the adoption of its family policy and over the coming years, Gatineau will take concrete measures on behalf of families. Thus, not only will it promote the policy and related activities, but a three-year action plan focused on families will be developed, involving a number of local partners and municipal service officials, the idea being to work in partnership.

Reports

• Consultation auprès des familles (French only)
• Consultation auprès des jeunes (French only)
• Consultation auprès des aînés (French only)