The City of Lorraine has officially adopted its new Policy for Families and Seniors, a three-year plan that will run from 2025 to 2028. The document outlines a comprehensive approach to improving quality of life across generations, with an emphasis on accessibility, inclusion, and active participation in community life.
The policy follows the completion of the city’s previous action plan in 2021 and was developed through a broad consultation process launched in January 2024. Four public meetings and an online survey gathered input from more than 400 residents, helping to identify the needs and priorities of families and older citizens. A multidisciplinary steering committee was also created to oversee the process, ensure that different perspectives were considered, and provide annual follow-up once the plan is in motion.
Lorraine’s demographic profile illustrates the stakes: with a population of 9,738 residents in 2025, nearly 18 percent are aged 65 and over, while youth aged 0 to 19 account for just over 26 percent. The average age is 40.7 years. According to the city, this balance between aging residents and young families guided the vision for an intergenerational and inclusive policy.
The action plan is structured around ten fields of intervention. Public spaces and municipal buildings will be modernized to improve accessibility, and parks and cultural facilities will be upgraded. Housing measures will encourage intergenerational living and support community initiatives such as collective gardens. Transportation priorities include safer pedestrian and cycling networks and collaboration with regional authorities to improve public transit.
Volunteerism and social participation are highlighted through commitments to recognize and support community involvement, including among youth. Recreational programming will be expanded to serve children, adolescents, and seniors, with events designed to encourage interaction between generations.
Respect and social inclusion form another pillar, with measures to improve universal accessibility in municipal buildings, promote intergenerational exchanges, and ensure vulnerable groups are better integrated into community activities. Communication efforts will also be adapted, combining digital platforms with paper formats to reach residents of all ages.
On the health and social services front, the city plans to strengthen awareness of available resources, promote healthy lifestyles, and support seniors in maintaining independence at home. Safety measures are also included, with commitments to road safety, stronger police presence around schools, and updated civil security and emergency plans. Education rounds out the action plan, with initiatives ranging from early childhood programs to adult and lifelong learning opportunities, including potential partnerships with the Université du Troisième Âge.
The policy is guided by values of accessibility, audacity, solidarity, benevolence, openness, and pleasure. It also aligns with Quebec’s “Vieillir et vivre ensemble” framework and the World Health Organization’s guidelines on active aging, emphasizing participation, health, and safe living environments for seniors.
According to the city, the new policy represents a collective achievement involving residents, community organizations, municipal staff, and external partners, with support from Espace Muni and financial assistance from Quebec’s Secrétariat aux aînés. Annual reviews will ensure the plan remains adapted to the community’s needs through 2028.
Back row (left to right): Isabelle Baignée, Isabel Moreau, Clarisse Baillargeon, Yves Carrières, Chantale Séguin, Brigitte Camden, Edith Proulx, Stéphanie Glaveen, Larissa Fillion.
Front row (left to right): Martine Guilbault, Éric Huard, Kathy Van Broswyk, Isabelle Champagne, Laurenne Pelletier, Alain Lavoie, Lyne Rémillard.
