English-speaking community very concerned about Barrette reform bill
Montreal, September 25, 2014 –
The Quebec Community Groups Network and its community stakeholders are concerned about a massive reorganization of the health care sector. We are apprehensive about the impact these profound changes will have on our community’s capacity to remain involved in institutions which are essential to our vitality and identity.
While Dr. Barrette stated that linguistic status for bilingual “installations” – no longer institutions – will be maintained as stipulated in article 29.1 of Quebec’s Charter of the French Language, hospitals will lose their Boards of Directors which may or may not be replaced with advisory boards that have absolutely no power. As written, the law says advisory boards will be set up if professionals in installations request them. If the boards are set up, they will be named by the minister, not chosen by our community.
