Gatineau mayoralty candidates to debate union and social issues on October 21

GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - A debate between Gatineau mayoralty candidates on municipal services, labour relations, the environment and social development has been scheduled for 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 in the Salle Pontiac (Room) at the Palais des Congrès de Gatineau.

This debate was organized by the Public Service Alliance of Canada and its Conseil régional d'action politique de l'Outaouais (PSAC-CRAPO), the Conseil régional de l'Outaouais de la Fédération des travailleuses et travailleurs du Québec (FTQ - Outaouais), the Conseil central des syndicats nationaux de l'Outaouais (CSN) and social and community organizations that are members of the Réseau Vigilance. This two-hour debate will give citizens of Gatineau an opportunity to find out more about the various candidates' positions on these important issues.

All of the candidates, with the exception of outgoing mayor Marc Bureau, have confirmed that they will be taking part in this debate. "We are disappointed that the mayor has refused to take part in this important forum to better explain his view of these major issues, in particular, his attitude regarding labour relations," deplored Daniel Charron , President of the PSAC Conseil régional d'action politique de l'Outaouais.

"We will try to get him to change his mind by Wednesday," added Michel Quijada , the President of Conseil central des syndicats nationaux de l'Outaouais. "We believe that, like the other candidates, Mr. Bureau must attend an activity organized by a coalition of unions and social and community organizations, which represent tens of thousands of voters."

Jean-Maurice Lafond, the coordinator of the Public Relations Program at Cité collégiale, will serve as moderator during this two-hour debate, which will be divided into four themes: municipal services, labour relations, the environment (transportation, waste management, etc.) and social development (housing, social policy, etc.). The public is invited to attend, and questions from the room will be selected during the final segment of the debate.

The mayoralty debate will be preceded by a debate organized by the Association des résidants de l'Île de Hull opposing the three candidates from the Hull-Val Tétreau borough, Pierre Ducasse , Denise Laferrière and Mintri Nguyen, to be held in the same room from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All citizens are invited to attend.

    
                                   REMINDER

    What:        Debate of Gatineau mayoralty candidates

    When:        Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 8 p.m.

    Where:       Salle Pontiac, 3rd Floor
                 Palais des Congrès de Gatineau
                 50 Maisonneuve Blvd., Gatineau
    

For further information: Pierre Lebel, PSAC-NCR, [phone] or [phone]