Montreal’s last readaptation centre of its kind may have its bilingual status revoked as it faces a possible upcoming merger with francophone institutions.
On de Maisonneuve in Notre-Dame-de-Grace, the Constance-Lethbridge rehabilitation centre provides care in both English and French, something that came in handy to Francis Killen after suffering a stroke.
Killen got his mobility back at the rehab centre, which works with people with motor disabilities.
“Always, but not only that. It’s really very, very, pleasant, very courteous and helpful,” said Killen.
Like other health care services, however, the centre is facing cuts.
Since 2012 they've been looking to merge with other centres to share costs.
The MAB-Mackay Centre seemed to be the obvious choice; not only do the two institutions share the same property but they both have bilingual status.
That plan changed a few months ago, however.
Now the management at the Constance-Lethbridge is looking to merge with three francophone institutions: Lucie-Bruneau Readaptation Centre, the Gingras-Lindsay Readaptation Institute and the Raymond-Dewar Institute.
The move may be good for its bottom line, but would spell the end for the centre’s bilingual status.
“If there's a merger, there would be a creation of a new institution. At that point the institution would have to make a request to be a designated bilingual health and social service institution and would have to meet the test that the majority speak a language other than French,” said lawyer Erik Maldoff.
According to Quebec's health and language laws, any institution with a majority of clients who speak a language other than French receives bilingual designation. The Constance-Lethbridge is Montreal's only rehab centre with that status.
Maldoff was among those to craft the amendment to Bill 101 in 1984 to enshrine the right to receive health and social services in English.
“Their obligation is to serve communities they were recognized to serve,” he said.
Last week board chairman Francoise Rollin told CTV Montreal they are.
“For us it is really important that the project would go ahead if it offers the maintenance of being able to serve the English population as well as keeping the affiliation with McGill,” said Rollin.
Not all board members are pleased with the merger.
“It's all about cutting back and promises are no good. We need to be a bilingual institution. It's the only way to maintain services,” said Constance-Lethbridge board member Barbara Rosenthal.
She says there are more than services at stake. A closed-door meeting was held Wednesday night to debate the issue. A spokesperson for the board said they would issue a statement on the matter Thursday.
“I'm hoping when we revisit it tonight. We really look at the main issue which is the patient, the doctor and those concerned with the outcomes for these people with physical disabilities,” said Rosenthal prior to the meeting.
Health Minister Gaetan Barrette said the merger is not a done deal, it would be voluntary and that the health ministry would have to approve it.
"One thing that is sure in my mind – in no way will I accept any modifications that will alter the access of the Anglo community in Montreal or anywhere in Quebec so the proposal that is on the table today falls into those conditions," he said.
