My Quebec Roots Video Contest Goes Live!

The Quebec Community Groups Network has teamed up with the CBC, the English-Language Arts Network, the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network, and the Quebec English School Boards Association to create a video contest designed to highlight the vibrant stories of English-speaking Quebec.  After promoting the contest in local high schools throughout the province and among English-speaking community groups, the CBC website is now live.  To upload your video, or to vote for your favourite, go to http://myquebecroots.cbc.ca/.  For contest details, go to www.qcgn.ca/myquebecroots.

We invite you to spread the word!

QCGN supports review on language of work in federal regulated workplaces

For Immediate Release

Montreal, November 25, 2011 – The Quebec Community Groups Network supports the Government of Canada’s creation of a consultative committee to review the situation regarding language of work in federally regulated businesses in Quebec. 

Industry Minister Christian Paradis this week announced the consultative committee will seek the views of stakeholders to examine whether employees of federally regulated businesses in Quebec are fully able to work in French.  The QCGN notes the Government of Canada's obligations to both official languages, and believes the committee’s work should not be geographically limited.

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SHOW US YOUR ROOTS: CBC Quebec and Quebec Community Groups Network Launch Video Contest for English-Speaking High School Students

MONTREAL, November 17, 2011 - CBC has teamed up with the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) and community groups in Quebec to sponsor a video contest that encourages English-speaking high school students to discover the history and heritage of their families and communities.

“As the country’s public broadcaster, CBC is committed to connecting people and telling their stories,” said Pia Marquard, Managing Director CBC Quebec. “Our history and traditions are incredibly rich here. I’m looking forward to seeing the videos these students produce.”

Co-sponsored by the English-Language Arts Network (ELAN), the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network (QAHN), and the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) the My Quebec Roots video contest is designed to highlight the vibrant stories of English-speaking Quebec. Videos can tell the stories of their communities through pictures, sound and spoken word, exploring their past through the traditions of oral history and recording the stories of their community and family elders.

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QCGN supports Commissioner’s call to reinforce Part VII of Official Languages Act

Montreal, October 18, 2011 - The Quebec Community Groups Network supports a call from the Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser for the Government of Canada to comply with Part VII of the Official Languages Act to support the development of Official Language Minority Communities and to foster the full recognition and use of English and French in Canadian society.

In his 2010-2011 Annual Report released earlier today, Commissioner Fraser urges the Government to “send a clear signal to let Canadians know that full recognition of English and French in Canadian society is still an essential value” and to work to ensure that Federal stakeholders develop a “Part VII reflex”.

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Joan Ivory, Gemma Raeburn-Baynes and Aline Visser honoured for outstanding contributions to the vitality of English-speaking Quebec

MONTREAL, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 – The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) is pleased to announce the winners of the third annual Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award which celebrates individuals who have gone above and beyond in contributing to the vitality and understanding of English-speaking Quebec. This year’s laureates are an outstanding trio of women: Aline Visser, Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, and Joan Ivory.

“Faced with sensationally well-qualified nominees the jury had an impossible task,” commented QCGN Past President and Jury chair Linda Leith, who noted the winners are all examples of people who are truly committed to their communities. “The QCGN is delighted to be in a position to honour three remarkable women who have made a difference to the lives of English-speaking Quebecers.”

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QCGN ends successful meeting with new Board of Directors

Montreal, June 20, 2011 - The Quebec Community Groups Network forged new partnerships and consolidated old ones as it held its annual convention in Montreal last week.

During the three-day meeting that wrapped up Saturday with the 17th Annual General Meeting, members explored avenues of collaboration with Federal Official Language coordinators; discussed the deep diversity of the English-speaking Quebec in a panel discussion moderated by Graham Fraser, the Commissioner of Official Languages; introduce a research initiative on the vitality of our English institutions; and held a consultation on membership recruitment and retention policy. Read more...

From left to right: (Front row) Dan Lamoureux; Linda Leith; Brian Garneau; Sylvia Martin-Laforge;
(second row) Nigel Spencer; Jan Anderson-Toupin; Irene Tschernomor; Cheryl Gosselin; Colleen Bronson; Marion Standish; Clara Ann Martin Labadie; Bradley Dottin.

QCGN seeks candidates for 2011 Goldbloom Awards

Montreal, June 17, 2011 - The Quebec Community Groups Network is once again seeking individuals who have made significant contributions to the vitality of the English-speaking community of Quebec for the 2011 edition of the QCGN Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award.

“Candidates for the QCGN’s distinguished community service award should have demonstrated leadership and commitment as a volunteer or as a professional in their chosen field of endeavour,” noted QCGN President Linda Leith, during the official launch of the award at the QCGN Members Convention in Montreal on June 17. Contributions can be in any and all regions of Quebec and in any field from business to academia; from youth to seniors; from health and social services to arts and culture; and any other area such as heritage, the environment and sports. Read more...


Find more details about the Award at www.qcgn.ca/goldbloom/ 

QCGN meets to consolidate partnerships

Montreal, June 16, 2011 - The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) kicks off its 17th annual meeting Thursday June 16 with three full days of discussions and workshops at Concordia University.

The Members’ Convention begins today with a joint initiative of QCGN and the Federal department of Canadian Heritage that aims to foster interdepartmental communication and identify avenues of collaboration with the English-speaking community.

Friday, the more public part of our meeting, will begin with a panel discussion entitled “A Community of Communities,” which aims to discuss the interconnectivity of communities within English-speaking Quebec. Moderated by Graham Fraser, the Commissioner of Official Languages, panellists will include Senator Joan Fraser, Townshippers' Association President Gerald Cutting and Montreal Gazette reporter, Marian Scott. Because of their unique roles as actors and observers of our community, each is bound to have an interesting perspective on the topic. Read more...

QCGN Congratulates Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Election Win

Press release

The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) has congratulated Prime Minister Stephen Harper on his recent election victory and looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada to strengthen linguistic duality and support to the nearly 1 million Canadians who make up Canada’s English linguistic minority community.

“We at the Quebec Community Groups Network wish the Government of Canada all the very best during the upcoming mandate, and look forward to continuing our role in supporting your pledge to build an even stronger future and a more unified Canada,” QCGN President Linda Leith wrote in a congratulatory letter to Harper this week.

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Federal Elections 2011: In a tight race, Anglophone votes count

As Quebecers prepare to head to the polls in a few short days, the Quebec Community Groups is questioning which party, which leaders, and which candidates will best represent the interests of the English-speaking community of Quebec in Ottawa.

“The Government of Canada has an obligation under the Official Languages Act to enhance the vitality of the English-speaking community of Quebec, to support our communities and to assist in their development,” said QCGN President Linda Leith. “The Federal Government is not doing a good job, and we should be asking all candidates in this election why not.”

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