Founded in 1995, the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) is a not-for-profit organization linking English-language groups across Quebec.
As a centre of evidence-based expertise and collective action, the QCGN identifies, explores and addresses strategic issues affecting the development and vitality of the English-speaking community of Quebec and encourages dialogue and collaboration among its member organizations, individuals, community groups, institutions and leaders.
English-speaking Quebec is a recognized, respected, and diverse linguistic minority that is an integral contributor to the development of all aspects of Quebec and Canadian society.
The Quebec Community Groups Network provides leadership and representation through dialogue, public awareness and advocacy for English-speaking Quebecers and their diverse institutions, organizations, and communities.
Respect: Due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions of others.
Collaboration: Working together with other people or organizations to create or achieve common objectives.
Equality: State of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
Inclusion: Providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
Diversity: Including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.
Equity: Being fair and impartial.
Innovation: Practical implementation of ideas that result in the introduction of new goods or services or improvement in offering goods or services.
QCGN respects French as the official language of Quebec. It supports the protection, support, and enhancement of the linguistic rights of Canadians to thrive in our two official languages. English-speaking Canadians living in Quebec represent one of the two official language minority communities in Canada with equality of status, rights, and privileges.
The QCGN’s renewal process began in earnest in 2020. During this time, and in spite of the global pandemic, the QCGN moved through significant phases of renewal that have led to restating of the mission, vision, values, principle, and pillars, as well as proposed changes in governance, membership, and internal operations.
In spring 2022, the Board of Directors established at Transition Committee to navigate the renewal of our organization with members, stakeholders, and management. In May 2022, QCGN’s members voted to approve significant elements of our renewal, notably by adopting amended By-laws of the Corporation.
Over the balance of 2022 and into 2023, the QCGN will continue to introduce important changes to our governance and operations. This will include the adoption of new policies, the implementation of a new strategic plan, adjustments to governance and election processes, and, for the first time, the introduction of individual memberships.
In parallel with our renewal, the QCGN embarked on a strategic planning process to determine the organization’s direction for the coming five years.
The QCGN’s previous Strategic Plan was developed following a dialogue with members and stakeholders on how to best foster vitality in English-speaking Quebec. Three main issues were identified under the pillars of Society, Community, and Network:
The designated Strategic Pillars guiding our new strategic plan are as follows:
Acts as a non-partisan advocate for the rights and vitality of the English-speaking community at all levels for English-speaking Quebecers and their communities.
Works to enhance the vitality and resiliency of the English-speaking communities in Quebec by developing and strengthening networks through dialogue, capacity building, partnering and joint action.
Organizes and operates to exemplary standards and maintains a value-based culture.
For more than 25 years, the not-for-profit Quebec Community Groups Network has connected English-speaking groups across Quebec with each other and promoted and defended the rights of our English-language minority.
QCGN traces its roots back to 1994 when the 15 Quebec-based regional and sectoral organizations that were funded under the federal Official Language Communities Program were brought together by Canadian Heritage to better manage program and funding priorities. A year later, that ad-hoc group founded the Quebec Community Groups Network.
The QCGN has since grown to play a convening role for its members and become a crucial advocate for English-speaking Quebecers and the vitality of their communities. In delivering its mandate, the QCGN focuses on research, policy, and evidence-informed expertise to advocate for and promote collective action within Quebec’s English-speaking community.
In 2020, the QCGN launched an ambitious renewal process with three main goals: to create a more open and democratic membership structure; to update governance; and to restructure our organization. Simultaneously, renewal focused on a new model for advocacy and community development including the establishment of Community Roundtables addressing key issues facing member and stakeholder groups.
The face of the English-speaking community has changed over the years, with demographic shifts, growing challenges faced by our English institutions, and more regulatory and legislative limits on access to services in our own language. Throughout, the QCGN has evolved and adjusted to this changing landscape, rooted in its mission to advocate for, develop, and support the vitality of English-speaking Quebec.
1995 – The Quebec Community Groups Network is founded by groups receiving official-languages funding from Canadian Heritage.
2000 – The QCGN receives its first operational budget from the federal government, allowing it to establish a central office.
2005 – Following consultations throughout the province, the QCGN launches a Community Development Plan outlining strategies to revitalize English minority- language communities.
2006 – The QCGN is recognized by the Government of Canada and Canadian Heritage as the official representative and interlocutor of Quebec’s English-speaking community, one of Canada’s two national linguistic minority communities.
2009 – The QCGN celebrates its 15th anniversary, concurrent with the 40th anniversary of the Official Languages Act. The Network inaugurates the Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award, recognizing significant contributions by individuals to strengthening the English-speaking community.
2011 – 2012 – The QCGN launches a new Community Development Plan based on the results of province-wide consultations culminating with the Community Priority Setting Conference in March 2012. During the conference, more than 150 community leaders adopted a Declaration of Community Priorities.
2015 – The QCGN celebrates its 20th anniversary, inaugurating the Young Quebecer Leading the Way Award.
2016 – The QCGN launches the Community Innovation Fund, funded by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program – Children and Families Component. The program is designed to support social innovation to help address the needs of vulnerable English-speaking Quebecers.
2020 – The QCGN marks its 25th anniversary. The Network counts more than three dozen organizations among its members, all playing a pivotal role in promoting the vitality of English-speaking Quebec.
2021 – The QCGN establishes four standing community roundtables, focused on strategic areas for community development. The action plans they develop are intended to inform a new Community Development Plan for 2022-2027.
2022 – The QCGN Board of Directors and, subsequently, its members, adopt key proposals to usher in the organization’s renewal and rearticulate its commitment to advocacy as community development.
The QCGN is funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
