October 5th, 2024

Quebec anglophones have right to health services in English, updated directive says

By The Canadian Press on September 23, 2024.

The Quebec government has published a new health-care directive clarifying that anglophones have the right to receive health and social services in English. Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé, right, walks to question period at the legislature in Quebec City, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

MONTREAL – The Quebec government has published a new health-care directive clarifying that anglophones have the right to receive health and social services in English.

The five-page document states multiple times that English speakers do not have to prove their identity to receive care in their language.

It is meant to replace an older directive, published in July, that raised concerns the government was limiting access to health care in languages other than French.

The government promised last month to revise the directive following criticism from anglophone groups and some federal MPs.

Health Minister Christian Dubé said on X that the government never intended to restrict services, and the updated directive is meant to be easier for health-care workers and the general population to understand.

The updated directive says health-care workers can speak to people in a language other than French if patients request it or don’t appear to understand French.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2024.

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