For Immediate Release

Working Committee to Develop Action Plan for English-speaking Seniors in Quebec

Committee Could Lead to Creation of a Permanent Seniors Coalition

MONTREAL, MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2009 - A working committee has been created by the Quebec Community Groups Network to develop an action plan for English-speaking seniors in Quebec who face challenges in accessing services in their own language.

In 2007, the Government of Quebec held public consultations across the province to assess the living conditions of seniors. Following the consultations, it issued a report entitled Preparing the Future with Our Seniors which established the need to facilitate access to information on services for seniors in English.

“There is an acute need for English seniors to have better access to information on services available to them in their own language so that they can make use of them,” commented project co-ordinator Nina Kim.

To help achieve this objective, the QCGN received a project grant through the New Horizons for Seniors Program from Human Resources and Social Development Canada to develop a database of available English services for seniors and to create an action plan for the English-speaking seniors.

“One of QCGN’s goals is to identify key priorities of the English-speaking seniors through a committee of volunteers and community organizations -- both of whom have genuine interests and expertise concerning seniors,” explained Nina Kim.

The QCGN is also seeking organizations that provide information or services in English to participate in a survey.  If your organization or another organization you know of should be profiled in our database, please contact Nina Kim at 514-868-9044, ext 221 or nina.kim@qcgn.ca. Click here to access the opening letter and here to download the survey. (Lettre d'introduction disponible en français ici.)

The Seniors Working Committee was created to provide guidance and strategic direction in the development of an action plan that will establish the main priorities of English-speaking seniors in Quebec for the next few years.

The organization is working with seniors in various regions of Quebec including the Lower North Shore, the Magdalen Islands, New Carlisle, Métis-sur-Mer, Thetford Mines, Quebec City, Montreal, the Laurentians and Western Quebec.

Upon completion of the action plan and database, the QCGN along with the Seniors Working Committee will assess the potential of creating a permanent coalition of English-speaking seniors in Quebec.

The Quebec Community Groups Network (www.qcgn.ca) is a not-for-profit organization bringing together 32 English-language community organizations across Quebec for the purposes of supporting and assisting the development, and enhancing the vitality of the English-speaking minority communities throughout the province.

For further information: Rita Legault, Director of Communications and Public Relations, (514) 868-9044 ext. 223, mobile (514) 912-6555, rita.legault@qcgn.ca