SPECIAL BULLETIN
Dear QCGN members
As you may know, two news stories about the convergence of language and health-care policy exploded early last week in The Montreal Gazette, other traditional media and on social media. As our community cares deeply about these issues, we moved quickly to articulate vigorous positions, conducted half a dozen media interviews and had substantial portions of our written statements picked up by Aaron Derfel, of The Gazette. An archive of links to these stories and more is included below.
Two stories attracted attention. The first was a report by Derfel on an "inspection" by Office Québécoise de la langue française (OQLF) employees scheduled for Santa Cabrini Hospital in Montreal's east end that serves patients primarily in French and Italian. A hospital directive to staff reminded them to use French in all conversations and written work during the exercise.
We quickly developed talking points and issued a somewhat irate statement to media in response, arguing that OQLF inspectors have no place in the hallways of our hospitals. We voiced a reminder of former Premier Lucien Bouchard's famous promise that those who must visit the hospital may get a blood test, but will never be given a language test. We've also pointed to the fact that the current Premier and his ministers have repeatedly reassured our community that the implementation of Bill 96 would not affect our access to health care. Point final.
The story gained legs.
Two days later, Derfel had another scoop: the Health Ministry had issued an incredibly precise document (approved two weeks previous by the Ministry of the French Language) which attempted to enumerate the precise circumstances under which a language other than French might be used in the delivery of health services. The directives clearly put the onus on doctors and nurses to know just how and when they are allowed to use English or another language. Derfel's copy of the document ran to 31 pages.
This time, The Gazette reporter reached out to us for comment before his story was published and we gave him plenty to work with, propelling the QCGN into the secondary headline and the first element of reaction to the story. Board member Eric Maldoff was also quoted extensively.
This story prompted more follow-ups. The government was starting to play defence (the Santa Cabrini inspections were just visits, no active operating rooms were visited, etc.) and more voices began to be heard, culminating in a protest at Santa Cabrini on the weekend led by seniors.
A third Derfel story, published Saturday, explained the complex procedures involved in designating bilingual institutions, the different lists kept by different ministries or groups (like the OQLF) and the enormous confusion that ensues.
As the result of all this and following consultations with a number of our usual friends, confidantes and subject matter experts, on Monday we wrote to Health Minister Christian Dubé, seeking an urgent meeting to obtain clarification and explanation of these disturbing events. Copied on that letter were Language Minister François Roberge and Finance Minister Eric Girard, who is in charge of the Secretariat for relations with the English-speaking community.
But the story hasn't stopped. On Wednesday, Derfel wrote about how the directives on the use of languages other than French included this bombshell:
"An (institution within the health network) can communicate in English exclusively with a person" if they meet two criteria:
- They have been "issued the document Déclaration d'admissibilité à recevoir l'enseignement en anglais du ministère de l'Éducation du Québec," otherwise known as the English-language eligibility certificate.
- They must also "expressly request (English services).
"The other possibility is if historic Quebec anglophones can prove that prior to May 13, 2021, they had corresponded 'only in English' with an institution within the health network regarding their medical file, and the institution is able to confirm this English-only correspondence before that date."
We were quoted as expressing deep concern about this "new and scary wrinkle" and that our community has never been told we'd need these certificates (which can be difficult to obtain from the Ministry of Education) to get access to health care in English.
Other steps are being contemplated as we plan ways to keep the spotlight firmly focused on this, the most vital of issues for our community.
I will keep you updated as we proceed.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Martin-Laforge
QCGN Director General
Archive
OQLF has no business in Quebec operating rooms, QCGN says – Press Release issued immediately following news that the OQLF had visited Santa Cabrini Hospital. Tuesday, July 23.
In the Media
New language directive for Quebec hospitals denounced as 'dangerous' | Montreal Gazette – Thursday, July 25.
New Bill 96 language directives for Quebec hospitals and long | CityNews - Friday, July 26.
Protesters, advocates worry Quebec is complicating access to health care in English | Canadian Press – This Canadian Press story was also published in CTV Montreal, Global News, the Toronto Star and La Presse. – Saturday, July 27.
Daybreak Montreal with Sean Henry | CBC Radio – Tuesday, July 30.
Concerns about Bill 96 impact in health care | CTV News – Tuesday, July 30.
Anglos may now need eligibility certificates for English health care, directive says | Montreal Gazette - Wednesday, July 31.
More interviews to come:
Global Montreal – Wednesday, July 31.
CBC News – Wednesday, July 31.
CTV News – Wednesday, July 31.
CJAD 800 with Aaron Rand @ 5:35 p.m. (Trudie Mason sitting in) – Wednesday, July 31.
CBC Quebec AM @ 7:10 am – Thursday, August 1.
CBC Montreal @ Noon In-studio – Thursday, August 1.
Thank you for reading our regular newsletter. For up-to-date news about the Quebec Community Groups Network you can visit our website at www.qcgn.ca or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram.
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