-2010-

Montreal – August 17, 2010 – QCGN Action Plan promotes healthy aging for our English-speaking seniors
The Quebec Community Groups Network today launched an Action Plan for English-speaking seniors which sets a path for building healthier communities and a brighter future for our seniors.  Blazing a Trail for Active and Healthy Aging -- An Action Plan for Quebec’s English-speaking Seniors (link) was developed as part of the QCGN’s mandate to promote the vitality of English-speaking communities across Quebec. It also stems from the QCGN’s Strategic Plan, which aims to increase awareness of existing resources available to English-speaking Quebec and to promote inter-community and inter-institutional collaboration.   Full version...

Montreal, July 30, 2010 - Census: Quebec Community Groups Network supports FCFA in its judicial measures to prevent Census change
The Quebec Community Groups Network is entirely behind the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada in its endeavour to get the federal government to reverse its decision to scrap the mandatory long form census. The FCFA has filed an application with the Federal Court for judicial review of the government’s decision. The FCFA, which represents Francophone minority communities outside Quebec, maintains that the decision to replace the long-form census questionnaire with a new, voluntary National Household Survey is an infringement of their Charter rights because the government relies on the language data from the mandatory long form census to determine which federal offices in various regions will offer services and communications in both official languages. Information about people's mother tongue, language spoken in the home and knowledge of both official languages are all used in determining what services will be available where.  Full version...

Montreal, July 21, 2010 - The QCGN files complaint with Commissioner of Official Languages over the Canadian government's decision to scrap mandatory census long form
Montreal, July 21, 2010 – Dismayed by the Federal Government’s decision to make completion of the long form in the 2011 National Census voluntary, the Quebec Community Groups Network this week filed an official complaint with the Commissioner of Official Languages, Graham Fraser, asking him to use his powers to investigate.  QCGN President Linda Leith said that information collected during the Census and collated by Statistics Canada, is key data upon which evidence-based policy is developed. “Evidenced-based policy allows community groups like the Quebec Community Groups Network, which support the English-speaking Community of Quebec, to work with the Government of Canada to enhance the vitality of the English linguistic minority communities in Canada,” Leith explained.  Full version... 

To read the QCGN letter to the Commissioner's office, click here.

Montreal, July 9, 2010 - QCGN opposed to changes in Census data collection
Friday, July 9, 2010 - The Quebec Community Groups Network is opposed to plans by the federal government to do away with the mandatory long Census form and replace it with a voluntary national household survey.  Our Network, which represents 36 English-language groups in Quebec, is concerned this change will make it more difficult to obtain reliable, detailed information that is essential to our work.  QCGN president Linda Leith, who has written to Industry Minister Tony Clement to express our concerns, notes that the Census is a critical source of evidence that supports our work on behalf of English-speaking Quebec and that making the completion of the long form voluntary will undermine the credibility of the data collected. “Decisions and actions that affect the legitimacy and consistency of this irreproachable data source are of great concern to the QCGN and the English-speaking Community of Quebec,” Leith noted.  Full version...

Montreal, June 22, 2010 - QCGN launches call for nominations for the Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award
The Quebec Community Groups Network is seeking individuals who have made significant contributions to the vitality of the English-speaking community of Quebec for the 2010 edition of the Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award.  Launched during the kick off of the QCGN’s 15th anniversary celebrations last fall, the Award was instituted to honour individuals like Dr. Victor and Mrs. Sheila Goldbloom who have gone above and beyond in contributing to the vitality and understanding of English-speaking Quebec.  Full version..

Montreal, June 14, 2010 – The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), which gathered in Quebec City this past weekend, honoured the founding fathers of the organization, Hugh Maynard and Martin Murphy, and elected its first woman president, literary festival organizer Linda Leith, founder of Blue Metropolis Foundation. Dr. Victor Goldbloom was also on hand for the official launch of the call for nominations for the 2010 Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award.  The get-together, which crowned the organization’s 15th anniversary, included a panel discussion during which Network leaders talked about where Quebec’s English-speaking community sees itself 15 years from now. The discussion launched a wider consultation process which will culminate in a community conference in the fall of 2011 that will help our Network set a clear path forward towards ensuring the continued vitality of English-speaking Quebec.   “At the end of our first 15 years, we are about to start a new chapter in the history of the QCGN and of the history of the English-speaking community of Quebec,” said Leith, who is a writer. “I look forward to working on this new chapter together with you. What we’re working on is not a novel. It’s a work of creative non-fiction, grounded in reality, fired by the imagination. The collective imagination, as is appropriate for a collaborative work. It will take a lot of brainstorming, a lot of work, and a lot of input from all of you. “  Full version...  

Quebec City, June 11, 2010 - Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) and Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) launch Canadian Diversity issue exploring Deep Diversity of English-speaking Quebec
Quebec City – June 11, 2010 – The Quebec Community Groups Network is pleased to launch the fruit of a major collaboration with the Association for Canadian Studies as well as a handful  of dedicated community leaders, activists and researchers.  This special issue of Canadian Diversity is a follow-up to a two-part symposium entitled “Exploring Diversity in English-Speaking Quebec” organized by the QCGN, ACS and Concordia University’s Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network, better known as QUESCREN. The symposium, magazine and a research project on whether the English-speaking communities outside of Montreal can help to attract and retain immigrants to their regions, received some $63,000 in funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.  “This publication demonstrates that there has been some significant thinking within our Network and within our community about our diversity from the perspectives of health, arts, history, heritage, education and employment,” said Robert Donnelly, president of the Quebec Community Groups Network. Full version...

Montreal, May 25, 2010 - QCGN wants Official Languages Act protected and preserved
Montreal, Tuesday May 25, 2010 – The Quebec Community Groups Network shares many of the concerns expressed by the Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser in the first volume of his annual report (http://www.officiallanguages.gc.ca/) released Tuesday.  In his report entitled Beyond Obligations, Commissioner Fraser spoke about the importance of leadership in promoting linguistic duality and the values contained in the Official Languages Act.  “The most important thing is that the principles of the Official Languages Act are respected and acted upon,” said QCGN President Robert Donnelly, noting the Network will be watching to see how the core values of linguistic duality are translated into a real commitment by government partners.  For example, Commissioner Fraser noted his concerns about how funding delays have affected Official Language Minority Communities and he reaffirmed the responsibilities of federal institutions to the English-speaking communities of Quebec and to Francophone communities in the rest of the country. Full version...

Montreal, May 11, 2010 - English youth ask government to focus on community vitality and sustainabilty
Tuesday May 11, 2010 – English-speaking youths have a strong sense of attachment to Quebec and to the English-speaking community and they wish to remain in the province. To do so they require strong schools and strong communities. “English-speaking schools are critical in forming our identity,” said Nicola Johnston, co-chair of the Quebec Community Groups Network’s Youth Standing Committee. “They are also important centers of community.”  To remain in Quebec, and to make a meaningful contribution to our community and to society, English-speakers require adequate French-language skills to integrate into the job market, Ms. Johnston argued, noting that improving levels of bilingualism will produce fluently bilingual young people who are equipped with the skills they require to stay here. Read the full press release here.

Montreal, April 22, 2010 - QCGN appears before House of Commons Committee on Official Languages
Montreal, April 22, 2010 - For the second time in a month, the Quebec Community Groups Network appeared before the House of Commons Committee on Official Languages on Thursday morning. This time, QCGN President Robert Donnelly and Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge were there to discuss The Roadmap to Canada's Linguistic Duality.

Click here to read Robert Donnelly's remarks to the committee.

Montreal, April 14, 2010 - QCGN files complaint with Commissioner of Official Languages about Throne Speech Snub
Montreal, April 14, 2010 – Noting the absence of any reference to Quebec’s Official Language Minority Community in the Throne Speech, the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) this week filed an official complaint with the Commissioner of Official Languages expressing our dismay and concern about the omission.  QCGN President Robert Donnelly noted that the Throne Speech prioritized support for Francophone communities outside Quebec, but omitted any reference to that other official language minority in Canada – the English-speaking Community of Quebec. Full version of the press release here.

To read the QCGN’s reaction to the Throne Speech click here.
For a copy of our letter to the Commissioner’s office, click here.

March 26, 2010 - Montreal Mosaic to draw portrait of Greater Montreal
Montreal, March 26, 2010 - Much of this city’s history, culture, and art is appreciated by far too few.  Montreal Mosaic - www.montrealmosaic.com/ - hopes to change that by providing a place to explore, question and celebrate English-Montreal’s heritage and evolving cultural scene.

“Like a true mosaic, our web-magazine is an assemblage of small pieces that come together to create a picture of Metropolitan Montreal,” said Guy Rodgers, chairman of the Arts, Culture and Heritage Council of the Greater Montreal Community Development Initiative (GMCDI).  “And, in the image of our diverse cosmopolitan community, every piece of the mosaic maintains its own identity while contributing to the overall picture.”

“Montreal Mosaic is a place to rediscover our city. A meeting place: A place for sharing stories, a place for personal reflections and community perspectives on the past, present and future of a great Canadian metropolis,” said Guy Rodgers, noting that Montreal Mosaic is eager to look at how groups and individuals contribute to the local arts, culture and heritage scenes and to showcase the organizations and place who are active in the areas of Arts, Culture and Heritage in the Greater Montreal area. Full version... 

March 23, 2010 - The QCGN appears before the House of Commons Committee on Official Languages
The Official Languages Act and the English-speaking Community of Quebec:  Learning from the Past
The Quebec Community Groups Network appeared before the House of Commons Committee on Official Languages Tuesday morning to discuss the English-speaking Community of Quebec’s experience with the Official Languages Act over the past 40 years. Appearing on behalf of the Network were President Robert Donnelly and Nicola Johnston, the co-chair of the Board of Director’s Youth Standing Committee. They were accompanied by QCGN Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge and Stephen Thompson, Director of Policy, Research and Public Affairs. Robert Donnelly spoke about how the Official Languages Act impacts the English-Speaking Community of Quebec and the barriers to our collective vitality and sustainability.  Nicola Johnston, who like so many of her peers is bilingual, well educated, and motivated to stay and participate in Quebec society, voiced the concerns and aspirations of youth and how the English-speaking community can move forward. Read their speeches following the links below.

Speech from QCGN President, Robert Donnelly.

Speech from the co-chair of the Board of Director's Youth Standing Committee, Nicola Johnston.

March 4, 2010 - Vitality of English-speaking Quebec at stake
QCGN pleads for caution in finding right remedy for Bill 104
In light of the opinion made public today by the Conseil Supérieur de la langue française, the Quebec Community Groups Network is worried about legislative measures that could adversely affect the short- and long-term viability of our institutions, including our schools. While we agree with the Conseil’s opinion that the primacy of the French language and social cohesion in Quebec must be maintained, the government must take into account the impact that implementing the Conseil’s recommendation would have on the English-speaking community.
We know the government of Quebec must apply the Supreme Court ruling on Bill 104 and we see the difficulty in finding a solution that will satisfy the Supreme Court justices, Francophones who are concerned about the survival of their language, and English-speaking Quebecers who are worried about the future of English schools. However, we question if the prescription the Conseil suggests is stronger medicine than what is needed to cure the problem. Full version...

March 4, 2010 - QCGN reacts to Throne Speech
English-speaking Quebecers need to be recognized as a valued part of Quebec and Canada
Following yesterday’s Throne Speech, the linguistic minority of Quebec feels invisible.
English-speaking Quebecers are one of the two national linguistic minorities recognized in Canada.  We are the largest linguistic minority within a linguistic minority in the country.  We possess strong relationships and ties to our fellow Québécois citizens, the francophone majority outside Quebec, as we do to all Canadians.  Then why do we feel left out?
We live linguistic duality every day.  We have the highest level of bilingualism in the country. Yet, when the government discussed linguistic duality in the Throne Speech yesterday, it pledged only to further strengthen Canada’s francophone identity.  While we strongly support Francophones in Quebec and in Canada, English-speaking Quebecers also want to feel secure in their own identity. Full version...

January 26, 2010 - QCGN partners release toolkit for building leadership in rural Quebec
Montreal, Gaspé, Low, Netagamiou – January 26th, 2010  -  Quebec’s English-speaking communities face multiple types of isolation and young women in these communities who are emerging as new leaders experience unique challenges that conventionally designed projects fail to effectively address.  “Supporting these young women while contributing to effective community development in the official language minority context is a complex task,” commented Sylvia Martin-Laforge, Director General of the Quebec Community Groups Network, at the launch of a toolkit for building leadership in rural Quebec today in Montreal.  ''The toolkit we are launching today is the result of the documents that were assembled during the process'', said Mrs. Martin-Laforge, noting the toolkit is aimed at linguistic minorities interested in best practices for rural community development; individuals or groups who want help developing their rural communities; young women wishing to develop their leadership or community development skills; as well as community organizers, project coordinators, and other professionals.  Full version...

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November 17, 2009 - QCGN seeks young leaders for leadership project
November 17, 2009 – The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) is currently seeking a dozen youths aged 18 to 29 to participate in a project to develop leadership skills among young English-speaking Quebecers.  The group of 12 young leaders, who will be selected from eight regions across Quebec, will meet for two days of skill building and leadership training. Topics will include youth engagement strategies, publicity and outreach, facilitation skills, introduction to community development and workshop planning and implementation. The 12 leaders will work together to develop a custom workshop to teach community development and leadership skills to their peers.  In collaboration with the Department of Canadian Heritage, the QCGN hopes to give to 132 youth the opportunity to develop their leadership skills.  Full version...

October 29, 2009 - Two Quebecers to sit on Panel of Experts for Language Rights Support Program
Montreal, October 29, 2009 - The Quebec Community Groups Network is pleased to announce that two representatives of Quebec minority English language community have been named by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, to serve on the Panel of Experts of the Language Rights Support Program (LRSP). 
Montreal attorney Richard McConomy and Gaspé health-care advocate Brad McDonald were both named to the panel that will administer the LRSP which replaces the Court Challenges Program. The Panel of Experts, which is made up of lawyers, specialists in alternative dispute resolution, and minority language community representatives, will be responsible for guiding Program efforts and selecting files to be supported.  Full version...

October 22, 2009 - QCGN reacts to Bill 104 ruling by Supreme Court
The Quebec Community Groups Network believes the Supreme Court ruling on Bill 104 is a fair decision for the province of Quebec. Now that the Government of Quebec has been given a second chance to draft legislation, we hope it will work with all stakeholders, including the English-speaking community, to achieve a reasonable compromise between the goals of protecting the French language and preserving the vitality of English school and school boards. In that spirit we ask that we be included in the process. Full version…  

October 6, 2009 - QCGN discusses funding with House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 – Groups providing services to Official Language minority groups require stable funding they can count on in order to effectively do their jobs, the Quebec Community Groups Network told a House of Commons committee this morning.
The QCGN was invited to appear before the Standing Committee on Official Languages to discuss “The Impacts of the Delays in Providing Funding to Beneficiary Organizations from the Department of Canadian Heritage”.  On hand at meeting were QCGN President Mr. Robert Donnelly; QCGN Director General Mrs. Sylvia Martin-Laforge; Mrs. Heather Stronach, Executive Director, Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ); and Mr. Lawrence DePoe, Executive Director, Canadian Parents for French (CPF). Full version...
Remarks to the Standing Committee on Official Languages, presented by Mr. Robert Donnelly, click here.

September 22, 2009 - QCGN Launches new community development website
MONTREAL, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 – A new collaborative website, launched by the Quebec Community Groups Network, is designed to become an indispensable, internet-based tool for community organizers and institutions in English-speaking Quebec. “QUESCAN – the Quebec English-speaking Community Action Network, located at www.quescan.info - will be the place where individuals, community groups, government and university partners learn about and contribute to the vitality of English-speaking Quebec,” commented Robert Donnelly, President of the Quebec Community Groups Network which launched the new site at its annual convention in Gatineau on September 11th. Full version...

September 17, 2009 - QCGN has new Board of Directors, new Strategic Vision
MONTREAL, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 – During its Annual General Meeting in Gatineau last weekend, the Quebec Community Groups Network elected a new board and ratified a new ambitious Strategic Plan that sets a new vision for English-speaking Quebec and an ambitious mission for the Network.  The AGM took place as the QCGN launched its 15th anniversary celebrations in the National Capital Region as part of festivities surrounding the 40th anniversary of the Official Languages Act. Full version...

September 1, 2009 - QCGN announces winners of Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Awards
Casper Bloom, Marjorie Goodfellow and Jack Jedwab to be honoured with new Community Service Award
MONTREAL, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 - The Quebec Community Groups Network is pleased to announce the winners of the Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Awards.  The first ever laureates have one thing in common – a lengthy and impressive record of community service.  The winners are lawyer and longtime promoter of equality and English rights Casper Bloom, Eastern Townships-based healthcare advocate Marjorie Goodfellow, and researcher Jack Jedwab, who has contributed immensely to our knowledge and understanding of English-speaking Quebec. Full version...

June 4, 2009 - Developing Skills of Young Woman in Rural Areas
The Regional Association of West Quebecers is taking part in a pilot project offered in three Quebec regions to develop the leadership skills of young English-speaking women in rural areas by supporting and training small groups as they carry out viable projects in their communities.  "Not only does the project give participants the opportunity to practice their new skills, but it also allows these women to create a real and meaningful experience as they make a difference in their communities," commented project coordinator Lise Palmer.  This is a unique pilot project by the Quebec Community Groups Network in collaboration with the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation (3ci) and funded through Status of Women Canada's Women's Program.  West Quebecers is one of the regional partners.  Full version...

June 2, 2009 - The Quebec Community Groups Network launches the Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award
Montreal, Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - This morning the Quebec Community Groups Network launched the Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award which will recognize individuals who have contributed to strengthening the English-speaking community and to building bridges of understanding between Quebecers of different backgrounds.
QCGN president Robert Donnelly explained the Board of the Network decided to establish a prize for individuals who have gone above and beyond in contributing to the vitality and understanding of English-speaking Quebec and decided to name it in favour of two individuals who are models of the engaged citizen.
“For more than a half century, Dr. and Mrs Goldbloom have invested their talents and skills for the betterment of the community and inspired others through their outstanding contributions to the vitality and reputation of English-speaking Quebec,” said Robert Donnelly. To read the full version of the press release, click here. To get more details on the Award, please click on the "Goldbloom Award" tab on top of the page.

May 26, 2009 - Reaction to the Commissioner of Official Languages' Annual Report
Montreal, Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - In his 2008-2009 Annual Report, the Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser reports that Quebec has the highest proportion of bilingual people in Canada and that more than one third (36 per cent) of Francophones and more than two thirds (69 per cent) of English-speakers stated in the last federal census that they speak both French and English. That percentage rises to 80 per cent among English-speaking Quebecers aged 18 to 34. “While that is good news, we wonder why so many of our English-speaking youth believe they do not speak it well enough to stay in Quebec. Unfortunately, the question of language skills is often one of perception and self-confidence,” said Sylvia Martin-Laforge, Director-General of the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN). “Many youths are sufficiently bilingual, they just don’t know it.” Full version...
To read the Commissioner of Official Languages' Annual Report, click here.

May 22, 2009 - Understanding Diversity in English-Speaking Montreal's Forum a success
MONTREAL - On May 22, 2009, the QCGN and its Greater Montreal Community Development Initiative (GMCDI) hosted a conference entitled "Understanding Diversity in English-Speaking Montreal" at Atwater Library. The conference was launched in partnership with the Association for Canadian Studies and Concordia University's Quebec English-Speaking Community Research Network (QUESCREN). We would like to thank all our partners and participants for this successful experience. To read the press release, click here.

April 17, 2009 - Concordia launches English-Speaking Communities Research Network
MONTREAL, April 17, 2009 - Concordia University is pleased to announce today’s launch of the Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network (QUESCREN) in the presence of Canada’s Commissioner of Official Languages, Graham Fraser. “This dynamic network will be an alliance that will allow distinct research to truly flourish in Quebec’s English-speaking communities. The evolving nature of these communities makes the need for a research network all the more critical,” said Fraser. For the press release, click here.

March 25, 2009 - Anglos warm to new cultural funding
MONTREAL March 25, 2009 - Organizations serving English-speaking Quebec say that a new national funding program for arts, culture and heritage has the potential to nurture a cultural renaissance among official language minority communities across the country. Full version...

March 23, 2009 - QCGN appears before the Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages
If the Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality is to be truly effective for the English-speaking community of Quebec, investments here will require a high level of commitment by politicians and policy and program architects. That was among the messages the Quebec Community Groups Network delivered to Senators on March 23, 2009. QCGN President Robert Donnelly and Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages in Ottawa just after Senators heard from the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Heritage and Official Languages.  Donnelly also noted that federal institutions must find innovative ways of supporting our community. “While priorities apply nationally, policies can be adapted in such a way as to implement them differently in Quebec,” he said, noting there is a real appetite for change in the English-speaking community of Quebec.

Read the QCGN's Brief to the Senate Committee here.

Picture: Minister Moore Announces the Implementation of the Cultural Development Fund, Vancouver, March 20, 2009

January 22, 2009 - English-Speaking Youth want to contribute fully to Quebec Society
Quebec’s English-speaking youth have a strong desire to remain in and contribute to Quebec, increase their level of bilingualism and feel a valued part of Quebec society. These are some the findings released today in Creating Spaces for Young Quebecers: Strategic Orientations for English-speaking Youth in Quebec, a report that articulates the challenges and priorities of English-speaking Quebecers ages 16-29. Full version...

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