PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQUÉ
John Milloy, M.P.P. Leeanna Pendergast, M.P.P. Kitchener Centre Kitchener-Conestoga
Ensuring Active Role For Francophones In Health Services McGuinty Government Establishes New French Language Health Planning Entity
NEWS December 15, 2010
Ontario is setting up a new French language health planning entity to ensure the needs of local francophones are reflected in health planning.
The Entité de planification pour les services en français dans les régions de Waterloo, Wellington, Hamilton, Niagara will be working with the area Local Health Integration Network to provide guidance on:
Methods of engaging the local francophone community in the area Health needs and priorities of the local francophone community Indentifying francophone health services and health care providers currently available to the community Improving access to French language health services in the area
Today's announcement is part of the government's Open Ontario Plan to provide more access to health care services while improving quality and accountability for patients.
QUOTES
“Congratulations to the French Language Health Planning Entity for the Waterloo, Wellington, Hamilton and Niagara regions. This organization will be a very valuable resource to the Waterloo-Wellington, Hamilton Niagara and Haldimand Brant LHINs and to our francophone communities.” – John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener Centre
"I am pleased to support the Ministry of Health’s initiative to increase Ontarians’ access to healthcare by removing language barriers”, said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener- Conestoga. “Today’s announcement will ensure that the health care priorities of Ontario’s francophone communities are identified and effectively addressed.”
“It’s important that Ontario’s francophone residents have access to the health care services they need in French. Our new entities will prove an invaluable resource and help ensure our franco-Ontarians have a stronger voice in local health planning.” -- Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“These entities are an important tool for the LHINs to better establish local francophone health needs and priorities. Our government is committed to providing access to health care to all Ontarians, and the entities will provide an important voice in francophone communities throughout Ontario.” -- Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
6C-1770 King Street East, Kitchener ON N2G 2P1 ℡ (519) 579-5460 (519) 579-2121 jmilloy.mpp.co@@liberal.ola.org
PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQUÉ
John Milloy, M.P.P. Leeanna Pendergast, M.P.P. Kitchener Centre Kitchener-Conestoga
QUICK FACTS French Language Health Planning Entities in Champlain/South East and Northern Ontario were established in June. With the announcement of four more planning entities, all francophone Ontarians will benefit from a French Language Health Planning Entity’s input.
Francophone communities in Ontario date back to the 17th century, and approximately 600,000 francophones live in Ontario today, which represents the largest francophone population in Canada outside of Quebec.
LEARN MORE
Find out more about French Language Health Services in Ontario .
Contact:
Jessica Voin Office of John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre 519-579-5460 [email protected]
Diane McCrohan Office of Leeanna Pendergast, MPP Kitchener-Conestoga 519-571-3276 [email protected]
6C-1770 King Street East, Kitchener ON N2G 2P1 ℡ (519) 579-5460 (519) 579-2121 jmilloy.mpp.co@@liberal.ola.org