GMCDI In the News

Montreal's English Communities Should Organize to Move Forward
Task Forces on Education, Employment and Health Care Could Work on Problems

Freelance
Don Taylor and Dennis Smith

Monday, September 24, 2007

Some media reaction to the release of the Greater Montreal Community Development Initiative Steering Committee Report last week missed the fundamental nature and central issues of the English-speaking community of Greater Montreal.

In fact, a new dialogue has begun. The evidence-based report reframes our understanding of the social context, diversity and vitality of an English-speaking community, which has changed dramatically over the last three decades.

The GMCDI steering committee was created with the support of the Quebec Community Groups Network and the Department of Canadian Heritage.

The GMCDI report highlights our new reality, through nine observations developed from research data, and input received from various expert panels, as well as community and public forums. These findings led to 22 recommendations to address challenges our community now faces.

Our steering committee wishes to underline the great strengths and examples of the community vitality we encountered while meeting with the many English-speaking communities of the greater Montreal area. Among those consulted, there was a strong feeling of pride that the English-speaking community contributes to the diversity, strength and creative capacity of the region and the province.

Although the views expressed at our various forums and panels were often as varied as the community itself, some common concerns resonated.

There is a strong need to mobilize the English-speaking community and its leadership.

Retention of our talented young people in Quebec must remain a priority.

There is a growing disenfranchised underclass with limited employment opportunities.

Access to health and social services in English is a concern in parts of Greater Montreal.

The French-language skills of some high-school graduates might be less than adequate to access the job market in Quebec.

Projected declining enrolments in English schools are a major concern.

A disquieting trend of increasing political frustration and disengagement exists.

Simply identifying the concerns and producing a series of recommendations are only part of the solution. Mechanisms must be developed to put an action plan in place.

We believe that the time has come to establish and support collaborative community "task forces" that are focused on addressing key, cross-cutting community development challenges that no one community, institution, or group can address alone. These task forces in the three areas of education and employment, health and social services, and arts and culture need to focus on developing solutions to the challenges identified.

It is also essential that the English-speaking community has a voice at policy-making tables to explain our realities.

Throughout the Greater Montreal area many smaller community initiatives are already in place. We must share these successful initiatives for the benefit of all.

An on-line up-to-date database, housed at a local English university, which is committed to continued research and development of our English community, would greatly improve the flow of ideas and information among members of our community.

Funding for these initiatives is critical. Just as members of the community need to step forward as active participants, so too must all levels of government provide appropriate funding.

Building on existing community vitality depends on the desire and the willingness of community members and leaders to work together for the greater common good. We believe the time to do this is now.

Don Taylor and Dennis Smith are co-chairmen of the GMCDI steering committee.

(The complete GMCDI report is available at www.qcgn.ca/ greatermontrealinitiative)

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2007