Have your say: Outaouais Development Observatory launches region-wide surveys to update Community Portrait
Sophie Demers
L’Observatoire du développement de l’Outaouais (ODO) is once again doing citizen consultations as part of its Community Portrait project. The observatory is focused on learning about the development in the Outaouais region. The Community Portrait project was a founding research project for the organization. The aim is to offer a comprehensive and detailed view of local communities.
Previous editions of the project were conducted in 2021 and in 2016. The data from this research is available on the ODO website. It is compiled in a document as well as on an interactive map.
The first step of the project was consultation with community stakeholders that allowed the observatory to define 115 communities across the Outaouais. The next step in citizen consultations will be conducted across the region in each community. The observatory will also have consultations with community and neighbourhood organizations. This will allow them to get more detailed data on the realities, strengths, and challenges in each area of the Outaouais.
“These consultations aim to better understand the realities of citizens in order to help organizations, municipalities, and decision-makers guide their actions for community development based on the data we will gather,” said Joani Vallespir, information officer with ODO.
The project is focused on a variety of aspects in each community. Specifically, population age, labour market, demographics, changes in crime, housing, poverty, immigration, life expectancy, health and social services, education, and culture.
Residents across the region are invited to participate in gathering information about their community. Everyone can participate by filling out a survey about their neighbourhood. Vallespir says that the more people making their voices heard, the better the data they can have, which directly feeds the community. She said that, for ODO, this project is collective mobilization that will have an impact on election officials at every level of government.
Various community surveys are open for residents and more will be rolled out over the next few months. To participate in the Community Portrait project, visit: https://sunset-porch-b12.notion.site/Appel-la-participation-citoyenne-28e976ecc1948068b3bbefb726c34630?source=copy_link
The ODO is funded by the City of Gatineau, Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais (CISSSO), Centraide and Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH).