MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, (hereinafter referred to as
"CANADA") as represented by the Minister of Human Resources
Development, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Minister of
Industry, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the President of the Treasury
Board; the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Secretary of State
responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of
Quebec (hereinafter referred to as the "Federal Signatories")
AND
COMMUNITY TABLE OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE FOR THE ENGLISH LINGUISTIC MINORITY, a corporation without share
capital duly incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act (hereinafter
referred to as the "TABLE")
AND
QUEBEC COMMUNITY GROUPS NETWORK (hereinafter referred to as "QCGN")
Whereas Canada, as represented by the Minister of Human Resources
Development, and an organization known as "The Quebec Community Groups
Network" ("QCGN") acting on behalf of the regional groups and
associations it represented, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on May 29,
1998 (the "1998 MOU") establishing the "National Human
Resources Development Committee for the English Linguistic Minority
Community" (the "Committee") to provide a mechanism for mutual
cooperation to govern activities aimed at enhancing the vitality of the
English linguistic minority community in Quebec and supporting its
development;
Whereas the 1998 MOU led to the establishment in 1999 of the TABLE,
composed at that time of the eight regional association members of the QCGN
and whose representatives became the community representatives on the
Committee;
Whereas CANADA and the TABLE, with the support and agreement of QCGN,
consider it expedient to replace the 1998 MOU with this Memorandum of
Understanding;
Whereas under this Memorandum of Understanding CANADA and the TABLE wish to
(a) expand CANADA's representation on the Committee to include
representatives of all the Federal Signatories;
(b) ensure participation of the broader English linguistic minority
communities on the Committee;
(c) expand the mandate of the Committee to provide advice to all the
Federal Signatories in order to influence their policies, programs and
services in a way that will foster, the development and vitality of the
English linguistic minority communities in Quebec in the areas of human
resources and community economic development (the definition of the latter is
described in Appendix A to this Memorandum of Understanding); and
(d) ensure that the Committee's vision and activities take into
consideration the conclusions of the global development plan for the English
linguistic minority communities in the areas the areas of human resource
development and community economic development which, at the time of signing
this Memorandum of Understanding, is currently under development by QCGN;
Now, therefore, CANADA, the TABLE and the QCGN agree as follows:
Interpretation
In this Memorandum of Understanding,
"Federal Signatories" means the Minister of Human Resources
Development, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Minister of
Industry, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the President of the Treasury
Board, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Secretary of State
responsible for the Economic Development Canada Agency for the Quebec Regions,
and those federal government departments and agencies that subsequently agree
under section 14 of this Memorandum of Understanding to participate in the
cooperation arrangements established herein;
"Committee" means the National Human Resources Development
Committee for the English Linguistic Minority Community established under the
1998 MOU as a mechanism for mutual cooperation in activities aimed at
enhancing the vitality of the English linguistic minority communities in
Quebec and supporting their development, as continued under, and modified by,
this Memorandum of Understanding in the areas of human resource and community
economic development;
"1998 MOU" means the Memorandum of Understanding signed between
CANADA and QCGN on May 29,1998;
"QCGN" means the Quebec Community Groups Network, an organization
composed of the groups listed in Appendix B to this Memorandum of
Understanding;
"TABLE" means the Community Table of the National Human Resources
Development Committee for the English Linguistic Minority, a corporation
without share capital duly incorporated under Part II of the Canada
Corporations Act.
Replacement of 1998 MOU
1. CANADA and QCGN agree to terminate the 1998 MOU.
Purpose of the
Memorandum of Understanding
2. The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to set out the
understanding of CANADA and the TABLE regarding
(a) the principles that will guide their cooperation in enhancing the
vitality of the English linguistic minority communities in Quebec and
supporting their development in the areas of human resource and community
economic development; and (b) the continuation and expanded composition and
mandate of the Committee.
Principles of Cooperation
3. CANADA and the TABLE agree that the following principles will guide
their cooperation in enhancing the vitality of the English linguistic minority
communities in Quebec and supporting their development in the areas of human
resources and community economic development:
(a) pursuant to section 41 of the Official Languages Act, the
Federal Signatories are committed to enhancing in all areas within their
respective mandates the vitality of the French and English linguistic minority
communities in Canada and supporting and assisting their development in the
areas of human resource and community economic development, as well as
fostering the. full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian
society;
(b) the Federal Signatories are committed to keeping communication lines
open with the English linguistic minority communities in Quebec in order to
foster partnerships in areas of concern to the communities and to find
appropriate solutions;
(c) the Federal Signatories share the vision of the Committee with regard
to the importance of linking human resources development with community
economic, development using a community capacity building approach;
(d) the Federal Signatories and the English linguistic minority communities
in Quebec consider leadership in the broader English linguistic minority
community essential in developing new human resource development strategies,
in order to foster the economic development of the communities;
(e) the Federal Signatories are committed to contributing to the
development and enhanced vitality of the English linguistic minority
communities in Quebec in the areas of human resource and community economic
development by seeking their equitable .participation in the
programs and services within their respective organizations' mandates, insofar
as the communities request participation in these programs and services.
Composition of Committee
4. CANADA and the TABLE agree that the Committee shall continue and be
composed of representatives of the English linguistic minority communities in
Quebec that are represented by the TABLE and representatives of each of the
Federal Signatories. It is understood that the members representing the
English linguistic minority communities are to come from different regions and
sectors of the province of Quebec. It is further understood that the members
representing the English linguistic minority communities can come from
organizations that are members of QCGN as well as from non-member
organizations and individuals with an interest in the mandate of the
Committee.
5. The TABLE recognizes the need to be more inclusive with respect to
representation from the broader English speaking community on its Board of
Directors. It undertakes to consult with QCGN within 60 days of the signing of
the present Memorandum of Understanding to determine measures to broaden the
English linguistic representation to sit on its Board of Directors as voting
delegates above and beyond the number of voting delegates designated by the
Community Economic Development and Employability Committees, and this by
October 31st, 2002.
Mandate of Committee
General
6. CANADA, the TABLE and the QCGN agree that the mandate of the Committee
shall be to provide advice on the policies, programs and services of each of
the Federal Signatories in the areas of human resource and community economic
development. The advice shall be aimed at fostering the development and
enhanced vitality of the English linguistic minority communities in Quebec in
the areas of human resource and community economic development. To this end,
the Committee will perform a number of functions: coordination, information,
liaison and research and development. The objective of these functions is:
(i) to improve access to programs and services within a decentralized
structure through facilitation of the multi-directional dissemination of
publicly available information relating to the activities of the Federal
Signatories and the equitable participation of the English linguistic minority
communities in Quebec in their planning processes;
(ii) to foster the constant improvement of the coordination of activities
within the Federal Signatories to facilitate and thus support the activities
of the English linguistic minority communities in Quebec in the areas of human
resource development and the economic development of their communities.
Coordination Function
7. The Committee's coordination function consists of the following
activities:
(a) Providing the Federal Signatories, through their respective deputy
ministers or equivalent, with advice on programs, policies and services to
meet the needs of the English linguistic minority communities in Quebec in the
areas of human resource and community economic development;
(b) Facilitating the coordination of local, regional and national projects
and initiatives aimed at human resource development and the economic
development of the English linguistic minority communities in Quebec; and
(c) Supporting the activities of community-based groups to promote
concerted action in the areas of human resource development and community
economic development in the English linguistic minority communities in Quebec.
Information Function
8. The Committee's information function consists of the following
activities:
(a) Facilitating the multi-directional exchange of publicly available
information on human resource and community economic development, innovative
projects and initiatives and various actions in related areas;
(b) Identifying and informing the English linguistic minority
community-based groups about available programs and services of the Federal
Signatories in the areas of human resource and community economic development;
(c) Identifying and informing the Federal Signatories about the needs of
the English linguistic minority communities in Quebec in the areas of human
resource and community economic development and about the possibilities for
harmonizing the various federal programs that could impact on those
communities; and
(d) Overseeing implementation of a system documenting the key activities
undertaken by the Federal Signatories and the English linguistic minority
community-based groups, in the areas of human resource and community economic
development to foster improved information sharing and to assess the impact of
these activities on human resource development and the economic development of
the communities.
Liaison Function
9. The Committee's liaison function consists of facilitating liaison
between English linguistic minority community-based groups and the Federal
Signatories, and between these same English linguistic minority
community-based groups and economic partners outside the communities.
Research and Development Function
10. The Committee's research and development function consists of the
following activities:
(a) Initiating requests for research and development in the areas of human
resource and community economic development; and
(b) Sharing publicly available information on studies, analyses and
assessments of the state of human resource development and economic
development to ensure judicious, effective action at the national, regional.
and local levels, thereby increasing opportunities for human resource
development and community economic development, and to assess the economic
impact of that action.
Monitoring of Programs provided by Quebec under Canada/Quebec Labour
Market Development Agreement
11. The Employment Insurance (El) Act requires the Canada Employment
Insurance Commission (the "Commission") to monitor and assess the
effectiveness of assistance provided under the El Act, including
assistance provided pursuant to Part II of the El Act. The Minister of
Human Resources Development will ask the Commission to monitor and assess the
impact on the English linguistic minority communities in Quebec of the
financial assistance provided to the Quebec government under the Canada/Quebec
Labour Market Development Agreement entered into under Part II of the El
Act. This monitoring and assessment may include formal consultations with
the broader English linguistic minority communities.
Implementation of Ad Hoc Activities by Federal Signatories
12. The Federal Signatories, within the areas of human resource and
community economic development respective mandates, may participate in the
implementation of ad hoc activities flowing from the strategic plan
endorsed by the Committee. These activities could include providing human,
physical and other resources the- Federal Signatories deem appropriate.
13. It is understood that the functioning and appropriateness of any such ad
hoc activities undertaken by the Federal Signatories may periodically be
assessed. If deemed necessary, the Committee may also seek the participation
of other partners in the assessment.
Committee Secretariat Services Support
14. The Department of Human Resources Development will provide the
Committee with secretariat services to enable the Committee to carry out its
mandate.
Process for Adding and Withdrawing Federal Signatories
15. The cooperation arrangements with the TABLE established under this
Memorandum of Understanding are open to all federal government departments and
agencies. Any other federal government department or agency may commit to
participate in the cooperative arrangements and become a Federal Signatory by
signing this Memorandum of Understanding in counterpart. Any Federal Signatory
may withdraw from this Memorandum of Understanding by providing notice in
writing to the TABLE and the other Federal Signatories.
Amendments and Review
16. This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended from time to time by
CANADA and the TABLE. No amendment shall be valid unless it is in writing and
signed on behalf of CANADA by all the Federal Signatories and by the TABLE by
its duly authorized representative. The TABLE, prior to agreeing to any
amendment, will consult with QCGN.
17. This Memorandum of Understanding may be reviewed by CANADA and the
TABLE at any time.
Termination
18. Either party may terminate this Memorandum of Understanding on not less
than 60 days written notice of intention to terminate. Any notice on behalf of
CANADA will be given by the Minister of Human Resources Development.
Coming into Effect
19. This Memorandum of Understanding shall come into effect on the date the
last signature of the signatories below is affixed to it.
Counterparts
20. This Memorandum of Understanding may be signed in separate
counterparts, each of which when signed and delivered will be an original. All
counterparts may be delivered by fax transmission and that transmission shall
be construed as an original.
English and French Versions
21. This Memorandum of Understanding has been made in both official
languages. The English and French versions are equally authoritative.
This Memorandum of Understanding has been signed on behalf of CANADA by the
following persons representing the Federal Signatories:
For the Minister of Human Resources Development
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Wayne G. Wouters
Deputy Minister
Human Resources Development Canada
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For the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
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Diane Vincent
Associate Deputy Minister
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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For the Minister of Industry
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Pierre Reid
Associate Deputy Minister
Industry Cnada
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For the Minister of Canadian Heritage
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Judith A. LaRocque
Deputy Minister
Canadian Heritage
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For the President of the Treasury Board
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Jim Judd
Secretary of the Treasury Board
and Comptroller General of Canada
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Date
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For the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
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Peter Harrison
Deputy Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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For the Secretary of State for the Economic Development Agency of Canada
for the Regions of Quebec
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Andre Gladu
Deputy Minister
Economic Development Agency of
Canada for the Regions of Quebec
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This Memorandum of Understanding has been signed on behalf of the TABLE by
its President.
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Lynden B echervaise
President
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This Memorandum of Understanding has been signed on behalf of QCGN by its
Chairman.
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Hugh Maynard
President
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APPENDIX A
COMMUNITY TABLE
Community Capacity Building and Community Economic Development
Direction and Focus
The Community Table, through its needs assessment completed in 1999,
recognized the desire of community members to become more involved in their
own community's development.. This led to a focus for activities to be
developed around the widely recognized concepts of Community Economic
Development (CED) and Community Capacity Building (CCB). Both these concepts
have become integral to the Strategic Plan of the original National Human
Resources Development Committee for the English Linguistic Minority initiative
and are the foundation to the Community Table's own Action Plans and all of
its written documentation.
Community Capacity Building (CCB) is a continuous process that involves
establishing and maintaining a supportive environment in order to develop an
appropriate leadership base that will allow communities, through their
members, to take responsibility for moving their community forward. In a real
sense, through CCB, communities create the conditions for CED to take place.
Community Economic Development (CED) involves the mobilization of community
residents and resources to take charge of their own social, cultural and
community economic development. It involves a focus on the people of the
community and building up their capacity through Community Capacity Building
(CCB) to take charge of their own development. CED is community driven and has
community ownership.
CED and CCB involve a commitment by community members to broaden out the
leadership base and help communities acquire the tools necessary for them to
plan, mobilize resources, move to action through a set of coherent and
achievable objectives, and to assess their progress on an on-going basis.
Both CED and CCB are based upon the recognition that different segments of
the community may have different capacities at any point in time, and that
bringing people to achieve a high quality of life requires considerable
patience and perseverance.
CED and CCB are also predicated upon the reality that socio-economic
development involves the simultaneous actions of many different players,
between whom there are few hierarchical linkages or linkages of authority.
Thus, accepting CED as the favoured approach to the community's development
implies the acceptance of working in concert with many different players, in
the private, community and public sectors.
APPENDIX B
The Quebec Community Groups Network is composed of the following groups:
Alliance Quebec
Chateauguay Valley English-Speaking Peoples' Association
Coasters
Association
Committee for Anglophone Social Action
Community Association for
Saguenay-Lac St Jean
Community Health and Social Services Network
Council for
Anglophone Magdalen Islanders
English-Speaking Catholic Council
Heritage Lower
St. Lawrence North Shore Community Association
Outaouais Alliance
Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network
Quebec Association for Adult Learning
Quebec Community Newspapers
Association
Quebec Drama Federation
Quebec Farmers' Association
Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations
Quebec Young Farmers
Townshippers' Association
Voice of English-Speaking Quebec
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