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Enhancing Francophone Input Into Health Care Services
McGuinty Government Supports New Francophone Planning Entities
NEWS
January 15, 2010
Ontario is giving the province's francophone community more input into the planning and integration of French language health services in local communities.
At least five new French language planning entities in regions across the province will be created through a new regulation under the Local Health System Integration Act. These entities will be selected by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and will work with the province's 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) to ensure that the needs of francophone communities are reflected in local health planning.
The advice and input the planning entities will provide to LHINs includes:
- Methods of engaging the francophone community in the area
- Health needs and priorities of the local francophone community
- Identifying francophone health services and health care providers currently available to the community, and
- Improving access to, and the integration of, French language health services in the area.
Selection of the planning entities will be completed by July 1, 2010.
QUOTES
"I'm very pleased this resource will be available to our francophone communities, and welcome their valuable input in our continuing efforts to improve health care in Ontario."
–Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"This significant achievement is the result of an unprecedented collaboration between community and government authorities. More than ever, Ontario's Francophones will be able to take part in the planning of French language health services at the local level."
–Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
"We support this regulation and were pleased to be active participants in the government's move to increase the contribution of the francophone community in the development of French language health services in the province."
–Marcel Castonguay, Chair of the French Language Health Services Advisory Council
"I am pleased with the outcome of this process. Many people came together to make this happen. The regulation is consistent with the recommendations of the working group and a positive step forward for the francophone community."
–Charles Beer, Facilitator of the Working Group for the Francophone Community Engagement Regulation
QUICK FACTS
- The creation of French-language planning entities was a key recommendation in the French Language Services Commissioner's Special Report on French Language Health Services Planning in Ontario, which was released in May 2009.
- There are approximately 600,000 francophones living in Ontario, which represents the largest francophone community in Canada outside of Quebec.
- The new regulation came into effect on January 1, 2010.
- A copy of the regulation can be found online at http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2009/elaws_src_regs_r09515_e.htm
LEARN MORE
Read more about French language health services in Ontario.
Ivan Langrish, Minister's Office, 416-326-3986
Andrew Morrison, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 416-314-6197
Backgrounder on the Francophone Community Engagement Regulation
ontario.ca/health-news
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