Olive Kamanyana articulates economic vision in bid for Gatineau Mayoral seat

Tashi Farmilo

In a recent press conference, mayoral candidate Olive Kamanyana critically assessed Gatineau's current economic development strategies and outlined her blueprint for revitalizing the city's economy. Kamanyana argued for a more centralized approach and greater transparency in economic initiatives.

"There is no clear definition or strategy for economic development in Gatineau," Kamanyana declared. "We need to know where we are heading, especially in commercial development, which includes economic growth. Currently, Gatineau lacks a coherent vision and, as a result, the city is struggling to navigate its economic future."

Kamanyana's plan involves restructuring the role of ID Gatineau, the city-backed organization that supports and accompanies local businesses, to make it the cornerstone of Gatineau's economic and commercial development. "We must empower ID Gatineau to become the central figure in our economic strategy," she explained. "This will involve not only overseeing but also enhancing transparency regarding how our economic development funds are spent and their outcomes."

Highlighting the historical context, Kamanyana pointed to the dissolution of local development centres in 2015, a provincial decision that thrust the burden of economic development onto municipalities without adequate support. "Since the local development centres were removed, Gatineau has had to fend for itself in restructuring its economic strategy. It's time we revisit and revitalise this strategy to ensure it meets the needs of our city," she commented.

Kamanyana also addressed the need for targeted support for female entrepreneurs, acknowledging the unique challenges they face. "Women do not face the same challenges as men in the business world. It's clear and undeniable. When I represented the women's sector on the local development centre board, we had policies in place to support women entrepreneurs. It's crucial that Gatineau reintroduces and enhances these measures."

Fiscal prudence was another major theme, with Kamanyana advocating for the optimization of existing resources rather than increasing taxes. "We need to demonstrate that we can do more with what we already have," she noted. "Increasing taxes to revitalize economic development isn't the solution. Instead, we should focus on reallocating existing resources more effectively."

Kamanyana's vision includes equitable development across Gatineau, ensuring all sectors benefit from economic activities. "Our commercial arteries and industrial parks need revitalization to attract businesses. We must ensure that economic development is balanced and beneficial across all areas of Gatineau," she said.

In her concluding remarks, Kamanyana stressed the importance of a strong public-private partnership to enhance Gatineau's economic landscape. "I am committed to making Gatineau a proud and prosperous community through pragmatic and detailed economic policies," she affirmed.

Photo caption: On May 13, 2024, Olive Kamanyana, a candidate for Mayor of Gatineau, held a press conference to outline her comprehensive economic development strategy for the city.

Photo credit: Tashi Farmilo