Quebec Liberal MPs take aim at provincial directive on language in health care
CBC
At least three Quebec Liberal MPs have raised concerns with federal ministers about a new provincial directive they say limits access to health care in the province for patients who do not communicate in French.
The 31-page directive published by Quebec's health department last month says health care practitioners in the province may provide services in languages other than French only in exceptional circumstances — if the patient can demonstrate that they cannot communicate in French or understand it properly, or if they can present paperwork showing they have a right to be served in English because of their historical anglophone roots.
"I'm all for protecting French, but this is going a little bit too far when it comes to health," Emmanuella Lambropoulos, the MP for the Montreal riding of St-Laurent, told CBC News.
The directive says anglophones who have an official certificate showing their eligibility to receive education services in English may receive health-care services in English.
The certificate is a document granted to anglophones who can prove their ancestors in Quebec had anglophone roots.
For patients who speak other languages and cannot communicate in French, the directive says a health care provider "may disobey the obligation to use exclusively French" as required.
Lambropoulos said that still gives far too much power to individual health care providers.
"I just don't think it's enough to say that the doctor is allowed to offer services in the language of their choice," she said, adding she has written to federal Health Minister Mark Holland about the issue.
Anna Gainey, the MP for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Westmount, said in a statement published Wednesday night on X that she also spoke to Holland to "share the serious concerns constituents have expressed regarding the Directive.
"They are very worried because the Directive would interfere with effective communication between them and their caregivers."
Gainey said she's also spoken with caucus colleagues "to ensure that the federal government, which is a major partner under the Canada Health Act, is aware of these concerns and prepared, if necessary, to step up and insist upon respect for its fundamental principles, in particular as it relates to universal access to care in both official languages."
Anthony Housefather, the MP for Mount Royal, told CBC News he has reached out to both Holland and Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, the federal minister responsible for official languages.
Sameer Zuberi, MP for Pierrefonds-Dollard, and Francis Scarpaleggia, MP for Lac St-Louis, said they're also concerned about the directive.
"If we're starting to do linguistics exams at the same time as we do medical exams, this will not allow efficient delivery of health care," Zuberi said.
The government of Saskatchewan has announced plans to reduce the length of non-resident game bird hunting licences to combat illegal guiding.
An 87-year-old Alberta man is fighting extradition to the United Kingdom to stand trial for historical allegations of physical and sexual assault involving minors.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.