Bergeron details vision for collaboration between Gatineau and community organizations 

Sophie Demers 

Rémi Bergeron, the independent mayoral candidate for Gatineau, says that his plan for supporting sports and culture is to create a support program for all organizations through a memorandum of understanding. Bergeron said that each organization would sign an agreement with the city that would detail how the city is supporting them and the organization's requests. He noted that this would also include “a plan to enable organizations to better inform their members about what the city plans to do to maintain and improve services.”

When asked about Action Gatineau’s plan to support an agreement between Unigym and Galeries Aylmer, allowing the gymnastics club to open a new gym once the Lucy-Faris Library moves to its new building. Bergeron said that he is in favour of agreements with the private sector to provide service if there is transparency with the public. The candidate highlighted that Galeries Aylmer is owned by the Heafy group, which he says is supported by some members of Action Gatineau, and that this agreement could generate more income for the Heafy group.

The independent candidate said that he would also support campaigning for the 2028 Memorial Cup to be hosted in Gatineau. He said that any Gatineau mayor would support this idea. “I have been a hockey fan since I was a child, and I support all QMJHL players so that they can advance to the NHL. My favourite club is the Montreal Canadiens, and my favourite players were Jean Béliveau, Guy Lafleur, and Guy Carbonneau.”