PRESS RELEASE

THE BUREAU DE L'OMBUDSMAN TABLES ITS 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Gatineau, February 1, 2011. – Gatineau's Bureau de l'ombudsman today tabled before the plenary committee its 2010 annual report. Since its creation in 2006, the Bureau has received more than 815 requests for intervention, 189 of which were over the past year.

Last year, in addition to processing these requests, the Bureau set up three working groups and submitted two commission reports to the municipal administration.

"The Bureau had a rather full year in 2010, with more initiatives, although fewer requests for intervention, which fell from 250 in 2009 to 189 in 2010," explained President Michel Légère.

The Bureau improved its record on meeting the five-day deadline for processing requests, from 73% in 2009 to 77% in 2010. "It is not unusual to see this kind of efficiency given the excellent rapport between municipal officials and the Bureau," pointed out Mr. Légère. "It is this kind of collaboration that enables us to carry out our mandate."

Highlights

The following are some of the highlights in the 2010 annual report:

• the number of requests for intervention fell by 25% compared to 2009, and this can be attributed to several factors:
– the direct impact of the excellent cooperation received from municipal officials;
– a change in procedures that allow for better follow-up on requests placed through the 3-1-1; and
– a better understanding by residents of the Bureau's mandate;
• the nature of the intervention requests has essentially remained the same: various (2.1%), culture and recreation (7.4%), public safety (12.7%), information-municipal issues (13.8%), public works (20.6%), urban planning (21.7%) and other jurisdictions (21.7%);
• the only decline was in the "other jurisdiction" category, which fell from 32.4% in 2009 to 21.7% in 2010, and the only significant increase was in the "urban planning" category, which rose from 14.4% in 2009 to 21.4% in 2010;
• the record for resolving files within the five-day timeframe has improved from 73% in 2009 to 77% in 2010;
• the Commission sur la procédure municipale d'élimination des nuisances publiques tabled its report in December 2009, after which a municipal by-law on nuisances was adopted by the Municipal Council in 2010;
• the Commission sur l'aménagement des sentiers municipaux submitted its report to the municipal administration in February 2010, with six recommendations that were immediately taken under advisement by municipal officials, who announced tangible measures for preserving Gatineau' forest heritage;
• the Bureau continued to promote its mandate among residents by attending Semaine de Gatineau and holding an open house day at the Les Promenades de l'Outaouais shopping centre; and
• five Commissioners will be ending their mandates with the tabling of this report. Five new Commissioners, selected based on their experience, will be joining the Bureau.

Over the coming year, the Bureau will continue to be open to and present among residents and local organizations in order to spread the word about its mandate and services. Activities designed to improve understanding of the different services provided by the municipal administration will continue in 2011, and special attention will be paid to the Charte des droits et des responsabilités for residents and civic participation. Some thought has also been given to doing a survey of the level of satisfaction with the services provided, as part of a process of continuous improvement. The Bureau will also try to organize a meeting for all stakeholders involved in the work of municipal ombudsmen in Quebec.

"In closing, I would like to thank the volunteer members of the Bureau for their dedication and commitment to ensuring our success. The tabling of this report marks the end of the mandate of some of our Commissioners, who will be replaced by five new ones, whose skills and expertise will ensure that Gatineau residents will be well represented," concluded Mr. Légère.

The Bureau de l'ombudsman is an organization that is independent from the municipal administration. It comprises a President and six volunteer residents, and seeks to promote democratic values and to safeguard and improve the quality of relations between Gatineau and its residents.

Anyone who wishes to make a request for intervention should visit www.gatineau.ca/ombudsman or call 819-595-4141.