The Canadian government has announced a significant investment of over $52 million over five years to enhance access to healthcare and social services professionals for English-speaking communities in Quebec. This funding will be directed towards the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN) and McGill University with the goal of improving services for Anglophone populations in the province.
The primary objective of these investments is to support innovative projects aimed at enhancing healthcare services in English within Quebec through the Official Languages Health Program (OLHP).
Peter Schiefke, Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil, emphasized the importance of Canada’s official languages as integral to the country’s identity during the announcement in Montreal. He highlighted that by backing initiatives that facilitate access to healthcare services in an individual’s preferred official language, the government is working towards a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
Dialogue McGill, working to boost the capacity of bilingual health and psychosocial professionals in Quebec’s public sector, expressed gratitude for the federal government’s support. The organization offers language courses in English and French to public health institutions, grants scholarships to retain skilled professionals in Quebec, and conducts research on minority languages to enhance accessibility to healthcare and social services.
Health Canada outlined that the initiatives under the OLHP include enhancing care access through community health networks, providing language training for professionals and students, and improving the recruitment and retention of bilingual healthcare providers.
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all Canadians, emphasizing the importance of bilingualism in creating a more cohesive and supportive society.
