On August 31, 2017 members of the Board of Directors of the Regional Association of West Quebecers met with the Mayor of Gatineau M. Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin at City Hall. Accompanying the Mayor was M. Richard Bégin the City Councillor representing the Aylmer district where our offices are located. The Mayor and M. Bégin graciously received us and we sat down to discuss issues of concern to the English-speaking community. The discussion was very open and frank and very productive from our point of view.
Representing the Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ) were our President Arthur Ayers and Board members Judith O’Rourke, Brian Daly, Joe Mackevic and one of our newest members Sam LaBrecque. The board was accompanied by staff members Aldo Jaurequi and Executive Director Linton Garner. The presence of nearly half of our Board along with our staff impressed the Mayor and M. Bégin and probably surprised them too.
Our discussion centered around the relationship between RAWQ and the City and specifically about how we feel RAWQ is an asset and how the City can partner with us lie it does with other community organizations in Gatineau. We also discussed having the Mayor meet the English-speaking community in a Town Hall setting twice a year to enable the community to speak directly with the Mayor about our concerns.
The Mayor and M. Bégin both agreed a closer partnership with RAWQ and the English-speaking community was not only possible but they welcomed the opportunity. M. Bégin will set up a meeting between the City Manager M. Desjardins and RAWQ to discuss how we together can make a partnership a reality. We will also schedule further meetings with the Mayor after the municipal elections to schedule the meeting the English-speaking community.
Finally, we want to thank former Board member and City Councillor Frank Therien for his hard work in facilitating this important meeting.
Outaouais Live! is a 12-part, English-language, arts magazine format series to be filmed at various locations throughout the Outaouais. It will showcase musicians, artists of various practice, galleries, and cultural and performance spaces, all with a somewhat uptown vibe. Produced with the 100 Mile Arts Network.
Cooking Adventures Outaouais is an English language cooking show that presents food preparation from skilled Cooks and Chefs that call the Outaouais their home. It features restaurant-quality recipes, as well as family recipes, prepared for our viewers.
A series of programs at the storied British Pub a landmark institution in Aylmer. Tune in as Linton and Stephany introduce us to local musical and highlight the cultural history of English-speaking community.
