The McGill University Health Center opened the board of directors to speak only French, and the patients rebelled. The McGill University Health Centre's MUHC Patient Committee reportedly said their members were unhappy that the board only spoke French when it held its meetings, which excluded English-speaking people from the service.
Although the majority of the MUHC board of directors are English-speakers, their public meetings are conducted entirely in French, causing dissatisfaction among patients.
"Over the past few months, we have received many complaints about patients, caregivers and family members not being able to understand the public portions of board meetings," said Ingrid Kovitch, president of MUHC. We know that many people are no longer attending meetings. It is important for users to understand and participate in the governance of the institution. ”
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Kovitch said Bill 96 is the problem. "The Board of Directors and MUHC are under pressure and scrutiny to comply with Act 96. But it's the patient who pays the price. MUHC declined the interview request, but said that as a designated bilingual health agency, it provides care and services to users in French or English, depending on the language preferences expressed by users.
During Board meetings, any public questions raised in English will be answered in English. The Quebec Network of Community Groups, an English-language advocacy group, QCGN, has questioned this policy and said that MUHC should rebel like the EMSB. "Our agency should respect the rights of the English-speaking community and ensure that the community has access to the information it needs, including the right to conduct board meetings in English. ”
The MUHC Patient Committee said they have met with attorneys to find out how much English they can add to their public board meetings without breaking the law.