I would like to raise a concern regarding staffing levels and municipal spending at the Ville de Gatineau.


Given the current financial pressures facing residents, I would like to understand why the City has not considered reducing its workforce or reviewing staffing levels similarly to recent reductions made within the federal government.


I have also heard concerns regarding employees who work from home full-time. While I recognize that remote work can be productive and beneficial in certain circumstances, concerns exist about whether remote employees consistently complete their full workload and adhere to their scheduled working hours.


For example, there have been concerns about employees attending to personal responsibilities during working hours, taking extended lunch breaks, completing household chores, leaving work early, or running personal errands during the workday. These practices can affect productivity, accountability, and overall team performance.


To promote consistency, accountability, and equitable expectations across the organization, all employees should work in the office five days per week and remain focused on their assigned responsibilities throughout their scheduled working hours. Personal errands and household responsibilities should be addressed outside of scheduled work hours to ensure employees remain fully engaged and productive during the workday.


At a time when property taxes and other municipal costs are increasing, I believe the Ville de Gatineau should carefully review its staffing levels, operating expenses, and overall efficiency. If certain positions are no longer necessary or if there are opportunities to reduce administrative costs without affecting essential services, these options should be seriously considered.

Reducing unnecessary expenditures could help the City manage its budget more effectively and potentially reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.

What measures is the Ville de Gatineau currently taking to control staffing costs?