English health care available ‘no questions asked’ despite directive: Roberge
Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
editor@qctonline.com
After a hastily convened meeting with representatives of several hand-picked groups representing the English- speaking community, Minister responsible for the French Language Jean- François Roberge has said he plans to rework a controversial directive that was widely interpreted as placing conditions on access to health and social services in English. Health care services in English are available on demand, “no questions asked,” he said.
The directive was published by the Ministry of Health and Social Services in July as part of the implementation process of Law 14 (better known as Bill 96), the Legault government’s wide-ranging reform aimed at shoring up the role of French in public life. It listed specific situations where health professionals might use a language other than French when speaking with patients. It also appeared to place restrictions on when English could be used in written communication with patients, based on whether a patient had an eligibility certificate for English public education – a document which most immigrants and older patients would not have.
Anglophone advocacy groups raised serious concerns about the directive and its potential impact on access to care. Federal Minister of Official Languages Randy Boissonnault also weighed in, saying, “Understandably, members of the English-speaking community want further assurance of their ability to access health care in English.”
On Aug. 12, Roberge met with representatives of several organizations serving English-speaking seniors, including Jeffery Hale–Saint Brigid’s. The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) and the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN) were also invited but did not participate; the QCGN declined to take part because Health Minister Christian Dubé did not attend, and the QCT was unable to clarify the reasons behind the CHSSN’s decision at press time. Richard Walling, executive director of Jeffery Hale Community Partners, said he attended the meeting but was awaiting clarification on some issues that were discussed and could not comment further.
“Huge misunderstandings”
Roberge told reporters he never intended for the directive to restrict access to care in English, and English speakers can ask for help in their own language at any health facility. “There were huge misunderstandings; we never did change our policy. Health care and social services are accessible for the English-speaking community, no questions asked. They don’t have to show any documents, any certificates at all,” Roberge told the Montreal Gazette after the meeting. “We are coming [up] with a new way to formulate it, with new wording, which will be more clear.” However, the current directive is expected to remain in place until a new one is instituted.
“Following the meeting with representatives of the English- speaking communities, we noted their concerns,” Marie- Joëlle Robitaille, a principal advisor in Roberge’s office, said on Aug. 19. We want to do things as quickly as possible, but do it right. We are giving ourselves a few days to clarify the documents concerning the directive.”
Attempts to reach Dubé’s office for further comment were unsuccessful. Mariane Lajoie, a spokesperson for the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, said health facilities in the region offer anyone with a “limited knowledge of French” access to an interpretation service for free. “That hasn’t changed for the moment,” she added.