Quebec's proposed health reform would complicate access for English speakers: petition
As the end of Quebec's parliamentary session approaches, there are growing concerns that the province's proposed health-care reform will leave English speakers in the dust.
A petition brought forward by Liberal MNA Jennifer Maccarone argues Bill 15 would jeopardize access programs that guarantee adequate health and social services in English.
And with time running out, she worries the bill is being rushed.
"I don't think the public grasps the magnitude of this bill. The only other article of law larger than this bill is the Civil Code," she told CTV News on Monday.
If passed, Bill 15 would create the Santé Québec agency, responsible for coordinating the health network's operations. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Social Services would manage broader policies and budgets.
It would mean the responsibility of ensuring access for English speakers would fall under Santé Québec.
"That is why the access programs were created [...] so the community works together with the government to develop programs as to how to make sure any local institutions that serve English speakers are able to provide usefulness," said Eva Ludvig, president of the Quebec Community Groups Network.
There are fears that those living in regions without many English speakers would slip through the cracks.
"There is sometimes a gap between what is enshrined in the law and what happens on the ground," said Ingrid Kovitch, chair of the McGill University Health Centre Patients' Committee.
"Centralization in general means that there's likely to be a disproportionate representation in majority rights and interests and that typically comes at the expense of minority rights and interests."
There are still around 400 articles to evaluate in the Bill 15 hearing, and the petition is asking for more time to study the proposed legislation.
"Wait, take a breath. Can we have a conversation about how your idea and model will be deployed instead of rushing the bill through with closure?" Maccarone said.
Health Minister Christian Dubé's office did not respond to CTV News' request for comment, but the minister has stated he wants to pass the bill by the end of the session next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6947618.1719864087!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Flash flooding in B.C. Interior affects at least 20 homes, emergency officials say
At least 20 homes have been affected by flash flooding in the British Columbia Interior following heavy rains that forced the overnight closure of the Trans-Canada Highway near Kamloops.
Fire at gas metering station sparks grass fire that shut Alberta highway
Yellowhead County in west-central Alberta says a fire that prompted the closure of a major highway west of Edmonton involved a gas metering station.
These ultraprocessed foods may shorten your life, study says
Eating higher levels of ultraprocessed food may shorten lifespans by more than 10 per cent, according to a new, unpublished study of over 500,000 people whom researchers followed for nearly three decades.
Eddie Murphy is still stung by that David Spade joke on 'Saturday Night Live'
Eddie Murphy is reflecting on some of the “cheap shots” he feels he’s taken over the years.
If you qualify for this tax credit, you can expect a payment in your bank account this week
The next quarterly GST/HST tax credit payment is expected to go out this week, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.
Judge calls Jeffrey Epstein 'most infamous pedophile in American history' as he releases transcripts
A Florida judge released Monday afternoon the transcripts of a 2006 grand jury investigation that looked into sex trafficking and rape allegations made against the late millionaire and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. Supreme Court rules Trump has immunity for official, not private acts
The U.S. Supreme Court found on Monday that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for any actions that were within his constitutional powers as president, but can for private acts, in a landmark ruling recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.
This 12-year-old memorized the periodic table at age two. He's heading to NYU after finishing high school in just two years
Recent high school graduate Suborno Isaac Bari, 12, plans to start studying math and physics at New York University in the fall, but he’s already got his ambitious sights set on beginning a doctoral program.
Possible indecent gesture at Euro 2024 game under investigation
England star Jude Bellingham is being investigated by UEFA over a potentially offensive gesture made during a European Championship win against Slovakia.