Maintenance of subsidies to Gatineau organizations

Gatineau, May 11, 2020. – In the context of the current health crisis, the Executive Committee is recommending that the Municipal Council maintain the subsidies under the different municipal programs for organizations and events in 2020. This recommendation is based on the wish to preserve connections with organizations that play a key role in ensuring the quality of life of Gatineau residents. The goal is also to help reduce the financial impact of the pandemic on these community partners. This is all conditional upon approval by the Municipal Council at its May 12, 2020 meeting.

Quick facts

●	Gatineau recognizes the importance of organizations and the role they play in keeping the community vibrant and providing a social safety net.

●	Protecting the environment, investing in culture and heritage, and enhancing the offer of recreation and sport are priorities for Gatineau, which also wishes to pursue its efforts in regard to social development.

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The different organizations and Gatineau share complementary missions. These include enhancing: - cultural and social life; - economic vitality; - the offer of quality recreation and sports activities to promote the health of residents; - the quality of life in our neighbourhoods and making them more dynamic; and - the quality of our environment.

●	Some of the organizations hit hard by this crisis will use this money to prepare their recovery plan.

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Maintaining subsidies carries its share of benefits not only for the organizations but also for the entire population, by: - maintaining or developing an offer of activities in a context of confinement and physical distancing measures; and - supporting the community, cultural and economic recovery in Gatineau.

●	An amount of just over $7 M coming from different municipal programs would be used to support projects and activities in 230 organizations and 26 schools. - To date, organizations have received $4,435,658.

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Maintaining subsidies would apply to all organizations supported under the following nine municipal programs: - support for cultural organizations (PSOC); - support for major events (PSGE); - support for sports events (PSES); - support for entertainment and revitalization (FAR); - support to entertainment in downtown Gatineau (FACV); - support for community development (PSDC); - the green fund (FV); - the fund for NPOs supporting entrepreneurship (FSE); and - support for public markets.

●	Gatineau will also offer professional support to organizations for the development and implementation of a recovery plan.

Quote

“With the current health crisis, more than ever before, organizations need the financial support on which they relied for preparing their activities and projects. Some of them will be harder hit than others by this situation. The subsidies will enable them to not only get back on their feet, but also to pursue their important mission in our community. We need these projects and events to enhance the municipal offer of services and to help the community grow and strengthen its quality of life,” explained Executive Committee Chair Cédric Tessier.

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