More than 150 individuals pack a town hall at Dawson College last night to express grave concerns about the potential impact of Bill 15. This sweeping proposed overhaul of the Quebec medical system would create a single, all-powerful Santé Québec to govern and operate health care throughout the province. “Command and control by a government … Read more
Concerns grow that Quebec’s sprawling new proposed health-care reform under Bill 15 will leave English speakers in the dust, jeopardizing access programs that guarantee adequate health and social services in English. CTV News reports on a petition (linked below) bringing forward fears that those living in regions without many English speakers would slip through the … Read more
Deep into its coverage regarding the Bloc Québécois targeting of federal funding for the English-speaking community of Quebec – and after quoting an assertion by Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon that it is “as inconceivable as it is unacceptable that our taxes are used to finance our own assimilation so openly and clearly” – … Read more
Quebec French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge expresses the hope that a portion of the $4.1 billion from the federal Action Plan on Official Languages be allocated to francization. This reiterates a request he issued last spring. Such a move would set a precedent. Ottawa officials confirm they are open to discuss this subject with Quebec, … Read more
Pascal Vachon of #ONfr summarizes many of the talking points of the freshly launched Bloc Québécois campaign to undercut federal funding that assists Quebec’s English-speaking community. The story cites the QCGN statement contesting the foundation of MP Mario Beaulieu’s approach, including his ”completely erroneous” assertion that federal funding is being used to anglicize Quebec. Read … Read more
QCGN Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge explains how Bill 15 could jeopardize access to health services in English. She speaks with Global Montreal’s Laura Casella. Watch here
Under the proposed Bill 15 to dramatically overhaul governance and management of the Quebec health and social service system, all 30 heads of regional authorities would report directly to Santé Québec, notes an analysis by the Quebec Community Groups Network published in the Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph. Read more
“A sense of urgency” exists, given that Bill 15 may be rushed through the National Assembly, writes the Sherbrooke Record in its coverage of the mobilization effort under way by the Quebec Community Groups Network. Read more
Bill 15 will hurt patients, researchers, communities, and more, writes Eva Ludvig, president of the Quebec Community Groups Network. “This legislation is focused on structure and governance and will do nothing to address the crises in our emergency rooms, delays in surgeries, the lack of family doctors, or other major and urgent shortcomings of our … Read more
QCGN President Eva Ludvig joined CBC’s Radio Noon yesterday. The discussion covered the Quebec government’s intention to hike tuition costs for out-of-province students at English-language universities, as well as the universities’ rejected proposal to improve the teaching of French. “The English-speaking community of Quebec is not the enemy of the French language,” Ludvig said. Listen … Read more
The decision by Premier François Legault and his Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government to virtually double university tuitions for students from out of the province “will do little to improve the situation of francophone universities and very much to damage English ones – particularly Bishop’s, where about 2,650 students were enrolled this fall,” write Eva … Read more
QCGN President Eva Ludvig and Townshippers’ Association President Don Warholtz lay out a detailed case arguing for full reversal of the Quebec government’s targeted tuition hikes. It is vital, the two community leaders underscore, to bear in mind that “students from other provinces who study here return to their home provinces as ambassadors of Quebec, … Read more
Eric Girard, the Quebec finance minister also responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers, suggested last week he is monitoring reaction to the government’s controversial decision to double tuition for university students from the rest of Canada – but he provided no details. The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), the English-speaking community, and, indeed, a multitude … Read more
Quebec’s three English-language universities continue to scramble to deal with the expected impact on registration and financing provoked by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government’s abrupt doubling of tuition fees for out-of-province and international students, to take effect in less than a year for fresh arrivals. The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) has called on … Read more
While Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) language-policy measures “in general, including the hurtful Bill 96, may be aimed at the Montreal region, they also bring collateral damage to the nearly 250,000 English-speaking Quebecers who live outside the metropolis,” states QCGN director general Sylvia Martin-Laforge. Read more
“It’s worrying to implement a policy like that without consultation,” says QCGN Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge about the Quebec government’s tuition hike for out-of-province students looking to study at English universities. Read more
Quebec’s English-speaking community leaders are calling for the provincial Education Ministry to allow all those who are eligible for English eligibility certificates to be able to obtain one. Currently, students are only eligible to apply for the certificate before completing their secondary studies. “Why would you want to disadvantage any Quebecer?” asks QCGN Director General … Read more
The latest Quebec government measure to protect French is an “assault on English universities – effectively doubling regular tuition for students from outside Quebec who want to study at McGill, Concordia, or Bishop’s,” says QCGN Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge in a statement. The QCGN is calling on Eric Girard, minister responsible for relations with English-speaking … Read more
By doubling the tuition cost for out-of-province students, the Coalition Avenir Québec government has demonstrated its belief that “the most effective way to support French is to curtail English and English-language institutions to the greatest extent possible,” says QCGN Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge in a statement. Read more
QCGN Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge joins Radio Noon Quebec’s Shawn Appel to speak about the recently-announced plan by the Quebec government to double tuition fees for out-of-province students attending English-language universities in Quebec. Listen here
The Quebec government plans to increase tuition for out-of-province students attending English-language universities. “Institutions play a critical part in the vitality of the community,” says QCGN Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge, “so it’s very worrisome if our institutions are threatened by loss of enrolment.” Read more
There are several causes for concern for the English-speaking community as the new political season unfolds, writes QCGN President Eva Ludvig in an op-ed for the Montreal Gazette. Read more
Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather “showed great moral and political courage in defending our community’s rights. That is what good MPs do,” said Joan Fraser, a retired Liberal senator and board member of the Quebec Community Groups Network, which led the charge against C-13. “He deserves our gratitude.” Read more
A young woman who requested to do her driver’s test in English was denied by a branch of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, with employees claiming that the test would be administered in French under Bill 96. “People are unsure of their rights and how to prove their rights and about the individual … Read more
After several years of defeat, Quebec Superior Court Judge Lussier’s ruling on Bill 40 is a hopeful drip of optimism for English rights in Quebec, says QCGN President Eva Ludvig. Read more