Federal Government Approves Contribution to Government of Quebec for Social and Health Services
OTTAWA, January 31,1997 -- The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage, Sheila Copps, today approved a grant to the Government of Quebec under a Canada-Quebec agreement to support initiatives aimed at providing English-speaking communities in all regions of the province with access to social and health services in their own language. The first Canada-Quebec Health and Social Services Agreement was signed in 1989 for a period of five years, and renewed in 1994 for a subsequent five-year period. This is the third year of the second five-year Canada-Quebec Agreement, effective April 1994 until March 1999."This partnership between the federal government and the Government of Quebec has served to strengthen one of the fundamental characteristics of our society: our linguistic duality," said Minister Copps in announcing the contribution.
For the year 1996-1997, the sum of $380,000 will be allocated to Quebec to provide support to that province's regional health boards and the various social services establishments concerned. It should be pointed out that the agreement provides for the costs to be shared between the two levels of government. The emphasis this year will be on projects aimed at improving greater access, and on providing support for established Anglophone communities in the various regions of the province.
Funding for this project was provided for in the March 1996 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how this government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.
Fact sheet available on request.
Information:
Julia Arnsby
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Robert Bousquet
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 994-4239
BACKGROUNDCANADA-QUEBEC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
The first Canada-Quebec Health and Social Services Agreement, signed on May 24, 1989 and concluded March 31, 1994, was renewed in October 1993 for a subsequent five-year period. This is the third year of a second five-year Canada-Quebec Agreement (effective April 1, 1994 until March 31, 1999).
Under this agreement the federal government covers a portion of the expenses incurred by Quebec in the implementation of measures aimed at providing English-speaking people with access to health and social services in their own language.
A committee composed of federal and provincial representatives appointed by their respective governments is responsible for implementing this agreement, particularly the administrative clauses.
For 1996-97, the federal government has agreed to contribute $380,000 to support proposed activities in the areas of coordination, translation, information, training and referral for the Anglophone community. The total cost of this project, including the provincial government's share of $426,300, amounts to $806,300.
The project, Soutien aux activités des régies régionales de la santé et des services sociaux, provides for a coordinator in 16 regions whose chief functions consist of implementing the revised access plans and ensuring the translation of documents into English, access to information in English, English-language training for health-care providers, and research on the needs of the Anglophone population.
The federal-provincial committee has reviewed and approved the projects planned for this year.
Similar agreements have been signed with the governments of the other provinces and territories to enable Francophones to access certain provincial or territorial services in their own language.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE $806,300 APPROPRIATION TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE REGIONAL BOARDS
REGIONAL BOARD,BUDGET
01 - Bas-Saint-Laurent, -- $26,340
02 - Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, -- 33,020
03 - Québec, -- 41,500
04 - Mauricie-Bois-Francs, -- 41,500
05 - Estrie, -- 65,940
06 - Montréal-Centre, -- 76,800
07 - Outaouais, -- 84,300
08 - Abitibi-Témiscamingue, -- 44,350
09 - Côte-Nord, -- 48,500
10 - Nord-du-Québec, -- 9,000
11 - Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine, -- 44,350
12 - Chaudière-Appalaches, -- 33,020
13 - Laval, -- 65,940
14 - Lanaudière, -- 41,500
15 - Laurentides, -- 65 ,40
16 - Montérégie, -- 84,300
TOTAL, -- $ 806,300
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