Bulletin mayoral debate wrap-up
On Tuesday, May 28, candidates for the mayor role gathered at the British Hotel in Aylmer for a mayoral debate hosted by the Aylmer Bulletin.
Tashi Farmilio, Djeneba Dosso
Candidates introduced themselves and delivered an opening statement describing what they aim to accomplish if elected to office:
Remi Bergeron (Independent) Emphasised his experience as an industrial engineer and his background in public works. Highlighted his independence and criticized the current public transportation projects, advocating instead for express electric minibuses and better road repairs.
Stéphane Bisson (Independent) Advocated for new and innovative ideas, stressing his independence and commitment to fresh perspectives. Focused on bringing new energy and ideas to the city.
Yves Ducharme (Independent) Highlighted his past experience as mayor and his vision for revitalizing the city, particularly in preserving heritage buildings and promoting cultural identity.
Daniel Feeny (Independent) Maintained his commitment to local business support and infrastructure improvements. Pointed out the need for new strategies to support the city's economic growth.
Olive Kamanyana (Independent) Focused on her long-term commitment to the community and experience in municipal politics. Stressed the importance of recognizing the identity of different city sectors and ensuring equitable distribution of resources.
Maude Marquis-Bissonnette (Action Gatineau) Highlighted her expertise in municipal management and vision for sustainable growth, including infrastructure and public transport improvements. Stressed her commitment to protecting the city’s heritage and promoting environmentally responsible development.
Mathieu Saint-Jean (Independent) Shared his background in sociology and entrepreneurship, focusing on innovative solutions for the city's issues. Stressed the importance of collaboration and drawing from the best ideas across different parties and candidates.
Following their introductory statements, each candidate was asked the following questions:
Describe Gatineau in 20-30 years after serving as mayor for two terms.
Bergeron: Envisioned a city with improved public transportation using express electric minibuses and better-maintained roads. Criticized the tramway project as too costly and ineffective.
Ducharme: Envisioned a city with a new hospital, efficient transportation, and well-maintained infrastructure. Highlighted the need for Quebec to fund the hospital construction.
Kamanyana: Punctuated preserving sector identities and ensuring equitable treatment for all city areas. Highlighted the importance of recognizing the unique needs of different sectors and working towards their individual development.
Saint-Jean: Focused on collaboration, drawing from the best ideas, and promoting innovative and effective solutions for city management. Accentuated the importance of working together to achieve sustainable growth and development.
Bisson, Feeny and Marquis-Bissonnette: Provided varied visions, including improved public transportation, better road infrastructure, preservation of sector identities, and sustainable development. They highlighted the importance of efficiency, innovation, and collaboration.
How will you support local businesses facing high tax rates?
Bergeron: Proposed evaluating city services for performance and finding cost savings to reduce tax burdens on businesses and residents. Underscored his background in industrial engineering and efficiency.
Bisson: Suggested providing more predictability for businesses, offering tax credits, and ensuring better support for both new and existing businesses. Underlined the importance of making the business environment more stable and supportive.
Feeny: Proposed providing more predictability for businesses, offering tax credits, and ensuring better support for new and existing businesses. Underscored the importance of making the business environment more stable and supportive.
Kamanyana: Criticized the previous administration for not supporting businesses and proposed restructuring the economic development department to provide better support for entrepreneurs.
Marquis-Bissonnette: Proposed extending a successful downtown business subsidy program to other commercial areas, simplifying regulations for pedestrian zones, and supporting cultural initiatives to attract people to commercial areas.
Saint-Jean: Suggested more collaboration between the city and businesses, promoting innovative solutions and simplifying processes to support business growth.
How will you improve collaboration and reduce bullying within the city council?
Candidates (Rémi Bergeron, Stéphane Bisson, Yves Ducharme, Daniel Feeny, Olive Kamanyana, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, and Mathieu Saint-Jean) spoke about fostering a cooperative environment, and underlined consensus-building and maintaining a positive atmosphere.
How will you balance residential and commercial development with heritage and environmental conservation?
Candidates (Rémi Bergeron, Stéphane Bisson, Yves Ducharme, Daniel Feeny, Olive Kamanyana, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, and Mathieu Saint-Jean) advocated for protecting heritage buildings, creating protected zones, promoting proactive conservation measures, and ensuring new developments harmonize with the city's historical character.
