Gatineau, October 30, 2012. – Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau today presented to the Municipal Council the report on the city's financial position for 2012.

"Gatineau has been growing ever since 2002, from the demographic and economic as well as the social and cultural points of view. Over the last ten years, Gatineau has implemented and maintained quality municipal services that, according to a recent survey conducted by Léger Marketing, earned an 84% satisfaction rating from residents," indicated Mr. Bureau.

As always, the Municipal Council based its choices on specific objectives. In 2012, councillors focused on investing in infrastructures, on sustainable development and protecting the environment, and on maintaining and improving services for the public.

A $30 million envelope was allocated to road repairs. More than half of that, nearly $18 million, was spent on paving roads and streets in every sector of the city.

Moreover, $12 million was invested in the city's water supply and sewer systems. Between 2010 and 2012, with the help of the different infrastructure programs introduced by Quebec and Ottawa, Gatineau's total investment in this sector amounted to nearly $81 million.

Since 2010, Gatineau has invested $15 million annually in its water treatment plants thanks to the federal Gas Tax Fund. The $60 million expected by the end of 2013 will be used among other things to modernize the water treatment plants in the Buckingham and Hull sectors.

Gatineau invested $10 million in the maintenance of municipal buildings. With regard to the purchase and replacement of vehicles and equipment, the Municipal Council decided to transfer more than $1 million that had not been used between 2005 and 2010 to expand the $5 million envelope established in 2012.

Gatineau uses the Programme particulier d'urbanisme, a special urban planning program, to guide interventions in its downtown. Construction is underway on office towers and condominium buildings. In 2013, half of the property taxes from the downtown, that is to say $4 million, will be used to enhance this part of the city.

In regard to residual materials management, the exemplary commitment shown by Gatineau residents has resulted in a significant reduction in the volume of waste going to the landfill site. In 2012, taxpayers were treated to a $15.10 reduction in their levies, representing an average drop of 0.7% in their tax bills.

Public transportation is an essential component of sustainable development and environmental protection. In order to provide the public with a high quality public transportation system, Gatineau increased its assessed contribution to the Société de transport de l'Outaouais by $3.7 million, to a total of more than $45 million. Of this, $2.3 million was for the Rapibus.

Gatineau recently adopted a tree and woodlot management plan, and amended its by-laws on cutting down trees in urban areas. It also invested $5.7 million in parks.

Gatineau used $100,000 from its Green Fund to enhance the greenhouse gas reduction program. Another $285,000 was provided to help local organizations carry out 20 projects. And finally, an additional $60,000 is allocated from this fund annually to four BIXI stations.

The snow clearing budget for public roads and sidewalks was set at $15 million for 2012. In addition, $265,000 was spent on reducing speed limits to 40 km per hour in residential side streets.

Gatineau remains committed to its goal of sharing in the financing of 700 affordable units by the end of 2013 with the Société d'habitation du Québec, which has approved 560 of them to date for the 2010–2013 period. Gatineau also injected $1.1 million in the Office municipal d'habitation, and a similar amount in the Rénovation Québec program.

Implementation of the fire safety cover plan continued in 2012, with $1.3 million invested in, among other things, hiring eight firefighters and upgrading equipment and facilities. New police officers were hired under the police organization plan at a cost of $1.5 million. The tags and graffiti prevention program received $350,000.

Recognizing the importance of the 17 major celebrations, festivals and events that take place within its territory, Gatineau allocated close to $1.5 million in money and services to them in 2012.

Financial Statements
On May 1, Gatineau Municipal Council approved the 2011 financial statements, audited and substantiated by Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche. Of the $33 million surplus reported at December 31, 2011, Gatineau set aside the amount required to, among other things:

• pay for pending orders;
• honour contracts that have been signed and are being completed;
• implement deferred infrastructure work; and
• provide sufficient reserves to cover its obligations.

By the end of this soundly managed fiscal year, Gatineau had a net surplus of $11.9 million, mainly thanks to a strong resale housing market, fines collected and lower snow clearing and debt management costs.

The net surplus expected for 2012 is $6.5 million. This anticipated surplus of revenues over expenses is in large part due to higher than expected land transfer tax revenues, more fines collected, and tight and efficient management.

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