ANGLOPHONE GROUP IN FOCUS
Quebec Community Groups Network works to address issues affecting English-speakers
Montrealers learned this week that the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) has been quietly working behind the scenes with Health Minister Gaétan Barrette to reshape the leadership of the embattled McGill University Health Centre.
Here’s a look at the anglophone-rights group.
Q What is the QCGN?
A A non-profit organization, it was founded in 1995, bringing together more than 50 Englishlanguage community groups across Quebec. The QCGN says it “identifies, explores and addresses strategic issues affecting the development and vitality of the English-speaking community of Quebec and encourages dialogue and collaboration among its member organizations, individuals, community groups, institutions and leaders.”
Q Where does it get its funding ?
A The lion’s share of funding for core activities comes from the Support of Official Language Communities Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage, a spokesperson said. It also receives other federal and some provincial funding for specific projects. The QCGN’s budget last year was just under $1.1 million.
Q What are some of the member groups?
A Montreal members include the English Parents Committee Association, the Atwater Library and Computer Centre, the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec and the English Speaking Catholic Council. Outside Montreal, members include the Quebec Farmers’ Association in Longueuil, the Townshippers’ Association in Sherbrooke, the Gaspesian British Heritage Village in New Richmond and the Regional Association of West Quebecers in Gatineau.
Q Who runs the organization? A The QCGN’s website lists nine employees. In addition, it has a 14-person board. Its president is James Shea, chairman of the Western Quebec School Board in Gatineau. The vice-president is Geoffrey Chambers, a founder of former anglophone-rights group Alliance Quebec. The other members are: Clarence Bayne, Mary-Ellen Beaulieu, Kevin Dobie, Walter Duszara, Linton Garner, James Hughes, Stella Kennedy-Briand, Eva Ludvig, Eric Maldoff, Elise Moser, Juan-Carlos Quintana and Joe Rabinovitch. It also has seven committees, including one that focuses on health care and social services, presided over by Eric Maldoff, the first president of Alliance Quebec, an organization founded in 1982 and disbanded in 2005.
Q What positions has it taken recently?
A It has called on Bell Media to restore local sports at CTV Montreal. It complained that the federal government was not consulting language-minority communities about the nomination of a new commissioner of official languages. It has come out against a plan to eliminate the provincial Westmount-Saint Louis electoral division. Last year, it argued against a Quebec government plan to eliminate provincewide school board elections.