National Assembly

“Divisive politics have no place in healthcare!”:Kelley

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By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The National Assembly has unanimously adopted a Liberal motion, supported by Québec Solidaire, emphasizing that English-speaking Quebecers do not need to obtain a certificate of eligibility to access health and social services in English in Québec.

In speaking to The Suburban, Gregory Kelley, the Official Opposition critic for relations with English-speaking Quebecers stated that, “No confusion should ever exist in the health network where a person feels they need to prove their right to have access to healthcare. When a patient shows up to a hospital, it is for a medical test and not a language test.”

The motion, tabled by André Fortin, Liberal MNA for Pontiac, requires the government to ensure that any directives given to the health and social services network are clear and explicit on this matter.

In recent months, complete confusion has arisen following the publication of a government directive on the use of languages other than French in the health and social services network. Many citizens have expressed concern that they would not be able to receive health care in English.

According to Kelley, it was imperative to remind the government of its responsibilities, particularly with the presentation of this motion. ‘’The CAQ has finally understood the importance of ensuring that every individual in Quebec, without exception, can access health care, and that language should never serve as an obstacle. They created a 31-page document to explain why and how they are applying language laws to healthcare. Lucien Bouchard (the former Premier of Quebec) said, “When you go to a hospital you may need a blood test but you don’t need a language test.’ Bottom line is that divisive politics do not have a place in the healthcare system.”

When asked for an “on the ground” example of what the confusion relayed to him directly looked like, Kelley told The Suburban about an elderly constituent whose spouse was concerned about bringing him to the hospital as he lost his bilingual capabilities due to dementia. “The senior community, in particular, has been really shaken up by this. It affects everyone. It is wrong. Period.” n

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Fisheries Fund allocates $830,000 to support five innovative projects

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CHANDLER – The Quebec Fisheries Fund is investing $830,000 in five companies in Gaspé Peninsula and Lower Saint Lawrence for innovation projects. 

Minister Diane Lebouthillier made the announcement on October 18 in Newport, in the absence of a representative from the Quebec government. The fund is financed 70% by the federal government and 30% by the government of Quebec. 

The largest amount, $450,000, is awarded to the Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du Sud de la Gaspésie, for the installation of a new type of trap support. This will allow approximately a hundred lobster fishermen to place traps one behind the other, enabling them to work more efficiently and more safely during fishing, changing bait and releasing traps. 

The federal government is contributing $316,000, while the Quebec government is contributing $135,000 for this $1 million set of projects. Private firms are contributing for the balance. 

Aquaculture Gaspésie is receiving $100,000 to install an ozone water treatment system, which will increase productivity by optimizing water quality, a $274,000 project. Raymer Aquaculture is receiving $86,000 for a similar project estimated to cost $99,000. 

Two companies in the Lower St. Lawrence are also receiving contributions from the fund. 

Organic Oceans Incorporated receives $100,000 for the acquisition and installation of a bottling line for liquid seaweed extract for the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges plant, near Trois-Pistoles. This project, aimed at automating production processes, will increase productivity and address the challenges of labour shortages. The new equipment will also allow the company to bottle smaller formats of seaweed extract, ranging from 0.5 litres to five litres. The project is valued at $128,000. 

Lastly, Pêcherie IANC and Ian Chouinard will receive $95,000 for the acquisition and installation of a complete automation system for baiting to hauling in the Atlantic halibut fishery aboard a longliner. This system will improve fish quality by reducing handling and exposure time out of the water. The $105,000 project will also reduce the risk of injury to the crew. 

“It is important to support the entrepreneurs who presented the projects and to highlight the important work to prepare our world for today’s fisheries, but also for the future,” explains the Minister of Fisheries and Member of Parliament for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Diane Lebouthillier. 

“We still have many projects on the table that are being evaluated and projects that will affect redfish because it is important. When we reopen the redfish fishery, we need funds to help the sector adapt to this new “old fishery,” which was closed for 30 years,” added Ms. Lebouthillier. 

On the subject of the redfish fishery, the minister points out that the fishing was announced in January, and discussions with the redfish advisory committee are ongoing. 

“We want to avoid food waste. We are moving forward slowly with the market openings. That is why the reopening was done over two years precisely to allow for adaptation. It is still progressing smoothly, and I hope that in the coming years everyone will be able to take advantage of it and have some on the table to consume,” says the Minister. 

In Quebec City, the office of the Minister of Fisheries indicated that André Lamontagne and his assistant, the Member of the National Assembly for Gaspé, Stéphane Sainte-Croix, were unavailable for the announcement. Minister Lebouthillier did not explain their absence. “At the federal level, it is important to support entrepreneurs who have submitted projects,” she said. 

Newport Slipway 

During the press briefing, boater Vincent Moreau questioned the minister about the slipway, which is no longer functional due to its advanced deterioration. 

“We are stuck and, now, are we going to be forced to leave our boats in the water this winter? Requests have been made by the Crabbers Association,” stated Mr. Moreau. 

“The slipways are a provincial government responsibility. It would have been interesting to have representatives of the provincial government here today. It is a provincial responsibility. They are the ones who can answer. We, at Fisheries and Oceans, are responsible for the wharves,” replied Diane Lebouthillier. 

Three sailboats and several fishing boats were unable to be taken out of the water for the winter. 

“They’re passing the ball. That’s what we see. I’m not in politics, but we’re experiencing a real problem and when the ball bounces, it doesn’t move the issue forward,” Mr. Moreau emphasizes. 

In Quebec City, Minister Lamontagne’s office responded by saying that they are “sensitive to the situation. It’s an important infrastructure for the region’s economic activity. We are already in communication with regional stakeholders and the various ministries. We are currently exploring solutions,” they stated in an email. 

Confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership 

Recently, four additional ministers announced their departure at the end of the current mandate, amid a letter circulating among some thirty elected officials calling for the resignation of Liberal leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

Minister Lebouthillier does not believe this has shaken confidence in her leader. “No, not at all,” she replied immediately, explaining that each of the four ministers had personal reasons for stepping down, Marie-Claude Bibeau, for instance, has expressed interest in running for mayor of Sherbrooke, and Filomena Tassi is stepping down due to her spouse’s illness. 

“But that does not call into question the leadership of the Prime Minister, not at all,” the minister assured, reaffirming her support. She also confirmed that she plans to run in the next election. 

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School board elections integral for parents

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By Trevor Greenway
Local Journalism Initiative

If ever there was a time to become involved in your child’s education, it’s now. 

With the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) elections coming in just over a month, English rights advocacy groups in the province are calling on parents to run for a position and show the government how important it is to keep control of their own school board. 

Bill 40 was passed in the National Assembly in 2020 and with it came abolishment of French school boards, which were converted into school service centres. While the CAQ government tried to extend the bill to English school boards in the province, a superior court ruled last year that major elements of Bill 40, an act that amends the Education Act concerning school organization and governance, are unconstitutional.

Quebec Premier François Legault has vowed to appeal the decision, making this year’s school board election more important than ever. 

“Oh, my God, it’s so important,” said Quebec Community Groups Network director-general Sylvia Martin-Laforge. “Parents have to get involved, not only for the education of their children but also because the English school board system is an institution of the English-speaking community, and we have to show the government of Quebec that we – as parents, as grandparents, as community members – value that the governance of our school boards remains in the hands of committed, English-speaking, community individuals.”

Martin-Laforge said that keeping control of English education will mean that school board commissioners will not only fight to keep control but also fight to preserve and protect the “uniqueness” of English education in Quebec. She said those who run for school board commissioner roles will have more influence on curriculums, budgets and other important aspects of education. 

“The parents are the direct line, for sure, and have to keep school board officials on their toes to really reflect what is needed in an English-speaking public system,” said Martin-Laforge. She also noted that, while Bill 40 targets public education, parents also need to keep tabs on postsecondary policies, as legislation, such as Bill 96, now Law 14, adds extra French courses to students’ course loads at English CEGEPS. 

“Remain politically active in the English-speaking community,” she said. “It’s about the governance of our institutions. It’s about interference in government and how we want our children to be treated throughout the continuum of education.”

What does a school board commissioner do?

The WQSB director-general George Singfield was quick to point out the difference between the school board’s council of commissioners and a governing board member. The governing board is made up of an equal number of parents and staff members, while councils of commissioners are voted in through an election. School board commissioners do not have to be parents to run in the election. 

Singfield said commissioners control everything from budgets and curriculums to school expansion and other financial projects. 

“We just adopted the budget for our board, but it has to be approved by the council of commissioners,” said Singfield. “They adopt the budget, they approve curricular approaches as presented by the principal, activities and all kinds of pieces that involve programming. So there are many examples of what we do, but really their role is governance.”

The WQSB has 11 electoral districts, with a commissioner at the helm of each one. Singfield said commissioners meet at least once a month, depending on whether or not a commissioner also sits on a committee, which includes transportation, human resources and other committees. 

“You’re looking at a few hours a month,” added Singfield. “If you’re a commissioner and you sit on a committee then it could be up to 10 hours a month.”

This year’s election for commissioners happens on Nov. 3, although candidacy papers are due by Sept. 29. 

How to apply? To be a school board commissioner, you must be on the Anglophone Electoral List. All eligible parents with children currently enrolled in a WQSB school are automatically registered. If your child is not currently enrolled in school, you’re still eligible to run as long as you reside within the WQSB catchment area. To register on the electoral list, visit www.westernquebec.ca and complete the Notice to the Anglophone School Board form and send it to rvincent@wqsb.qc.ca

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MNAs quash eligibility requirement for anglos

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Trevor Greenway

Despite a unanimous vote in the National Assembly affirming that English-speaking Quebecers will not need an eligibility requirement to receive healthcare in their mother tongue, Liberal health critic André Fortin still has concerns that the CAQ government will continue to erode English health rights. 

The MNA for Pontiac put forward the motion on Sept. 12, and while he was happy it was adopted unanimously, he said he didn’t trust that the province’s French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge will actually adhere to it.

“I don’t trust the guy as far as I can throw them, so we really don’t know how the government will react,” Fortin told the Low Down. “They’ve got a pretty poor track record when it comes to protecting English-speaking Quebecers’ rights, and in this case it is a clear case of protecting or ensuring that rights are respected when accessing healthcare in English,” he added. 

“This is a very direct motion, a very clear motion that was voted on unanimously, but the minister still has to do his job and apply the will of the National Assembly,” said Fortin.

Fortin’s motion stems from outcry from the anglophone community after the province’s health ministry unveiled a directive on July 18 outlining when English could be used in health and social service departments. The directive also states that only “recognized anglophones” – defined as English speakers who are eligible to send their children to English school – are permitted to communicate in English. 

Quebec’s Minister of the French Language Jean-François Roberge pledged in August to rewrite the directive. However, until he does, the original directive will remain in force. 

Eva Ludvig, president of the English rights advocacy group, the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), is now calling on the province’s Health Minister Christian Dubé to provide clarity to anglophones in the province. 

“It is now time for Minister Roberge and Health Minister Christian Dubé to either scale back or eliminate these directives altogether, or, at the very least, suspend the existing measures until a full and far-reaching consultation can be held with representatives of the English-speaking community of Quebec prior to their redrafting and reintroduction,” Ludvig added.

While the QCGN said it still has concerns about the directive in force, she said the unanimous motion by the National Assembly speaks volumes. 

“This is a significant step,” said Ludvig. “It may have little force in law, and I’m told the minister could theoretically choose to largely ignore it, but this full expression of the Assembly’s view is an important statement.”

Roberge has not said when the new directive will be released. Fortin said he doesn’t have high hopes for the new directive, as it shouldn’t take over a month to rewrite the “complicated, convoluted” document. 

“If the directive today is to say, ‘Give services to everybody in French or in English, in the language they ask,’ that doesn’t require a 31-page paper. It just requires a very simple directive,” said Fortin.

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