RAWQ urges public input into Bill 10

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The Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ) has deep concerns with Bill 10 and the speed with which the Government of Quebec is moving
forward to adopt this wide-ranging legislation that will have a profound impact on our community’s vitality and identity.
The dissolution of the current institutional

The Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ) has deep concerns with Bill 10 and the speed with which the Government of Quebec is moving
forward to adopt this wide-ranging legislation that will have a profound impact on our community’s vitality and identity.
The dissolution of the current institutional
network and the centralizing of control of the Health and Social Services system will have profound consequences for English-speaking and other minority communities with respect to their historical attachment to their institutions and their participation in the public system.
The Bill, if passed as currently drafted, will have a number of unwanted side effects:
Bill 10 removes from the system a key partner in delivering the best care to the most people at the best cost – the community that supports the institution.  Our
local hospitals currently
benefit from community funding and support for required programs and services that will undoubtedly suffer with the removal of local autonomy.
The bilingual status
of our institution
risks being eroded. Exemptions that allow internal communications, board meetings, signs, and patient record-keeping in English along with French will be at risk. Hospital services in Wakefield and Shawville currently enjoy this
bilingual service.
Any savings to the system may well be
offset by the reduction in donations from private donors, foundations
and corporations, who donate and connect with individual institutions rather than with the health care system as
a whole.
Municipal governments in the Pontiac and Gatineau areas have already voiced similar concerns. A similar
concern was expressed to the proposed closing of the out-patient day
center in Aylmer which has since been reversed. The work of volunteers in this process was critical in the pursuit of a
reconciled decision. The power of the people must now be directed towards engagement in opposition to the planned legislation.
We urge the Government to engage in a thorough process of consultation, study and risk assessment before Bill 10 is brought before the National Assembly for adoption.
The impact of Bill 10 should be of concern
to all citizens of the Outaouais. While the RAWQ has a mandate to express the concerns
of the English-speaking community, we fully implore the engagement of all residents to express their concerns regarding the planned dissolution of local and regional governing boards in favour of a centralized governance structure.
You can find more information about this issue as well as a petition to sign on the website of the Quebec Community Groups Network : www.qcgn.ca

James Shea
President
Regional Association of West Quebecers