Patients committee getting complaints about French-only meetings at bilingual Montreal hospital
The patients committee at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) says its members are upset over French-only board meetings, adding that some anglophones are being excluded from the institutions that are supposed to serve them.
Though most of the MUHC's board is anglophone, their public meetings are conducted entirely in French.
Some patients are upset with this.
"We have received many, many complaints over the past few months about patients, caregivers, family members who are unable to understand the public portions of the board meetings," said MUHC chair Ingrid Kovitch. "We know many have stopped attending entirely. For the users of the institution, it's not only critical that they be able to understand but to participate in the governance of their institution."
Kovitch said Quebec's new language law, known as Bill 96, is to blame.
"The board of directors, and the MUHC in general, is under fairly intense pressure and scrutiny to abide by Bill 96," she said. "But of course, it's the patients who pay the price."
The MUHC declined an interview request but said as a designated bilingual health institution, it offers care and services to users in French or English, depending on the language preference expressed by the user.
During MUHC board meetings, any questions from the public that are asked in English are answered in English, the MUHC said.
The English-language advocacy group, the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), questions the policy.
"They have the bilingual status, so let's use it," said QCGN's president Eva Ludvig. "You know the saying, if you don't use, it you lose it."
The QCGN said the MUHC should push back like the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) did.
"Our institutions should respect the rights of the English-speaking community, the community that built it and should make sure the community gets the information it requires, including board meetings in English," said Ludvig.
The MUHC patients committee said it is already meeting with lawyers to see to which extent they can add more English to public board meetings without violating the French-language law.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.