The Committee’s role
Section 509 of the Act respecting health services and social services provides for the creation of a Provincial Committee for the Provision of Health Services and Social Services in the English Language, often referred to as the Provincial Access Committee. The Committee is created by regulation and its mandate is to advise the Government of Quebec on:
- the provision of health services and social services in the English language;
- the approval, evaluation and modification by the Government of each access program developed by an institution in accordance with section 348 of the Act.
The Act to modify the organization and governance of the health and social services network, in particular by abolishing the regional agencies adds two responsibilities to the Committee’s mandate:
- The approval of requests made by integrated health and social services centres for withdrawal of recognition, as provided for in the third paragraph of section 29.1 of the Charter of the French Language;
- The identification of organizations that promote the interests of English speakers in each region. These organizations will be consulted regarding the appointment of members of regional committees for English-language health services and social services access programs.
The Committee’s composition and mandate
The Provincial Committee for the Provision of Health Services and Social Services in the English Language is composed of 11 members, who are appointed in a way that ensures they are representative of the entire English-speaking population:
- four members residing on the territory of the health regions of Montreal or Laval, including at least three residents in the territory of the Montreal health region;
- a member residing on the territory of the Montérégie health region;
- a member residing on the territory of the Estrie health region;
- a member residing on the territory of the Outaouais health region;
- four members residing on the territory of the other health regions of Quebec.
Members of the Provincial Committee serve in a personal capacity. They do not represent an organization or a social or political group. This is intended to prevent any conflicts of interest.
The composition of the Committee is intended to be as representative as possible of Quebec’s English-speaking population. Members are appointed for three years and their mandate can be renewed only once.