MONTREAL, Oct. 6, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Community Groups Network today released the most up-to-date and detailed portrait of English-speaking seniors in Quebec. "Moving Forward - Building research capacity related to Quebec's English speaking seniors", which was supported by the Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network (QUESCREN) at Concordia University, presents the data collected during a three-year participatory research project where seniors helped define the topics of concern and carry out the research and disseminate the findings.
"Quebec's English-speaking seniors represent 25.4 per cent of Quebec's English-speaking community, yet they have been aging without the benefit of policies and programs that acknowledge their particular situation as a linguistic minority," commented QCGN President Dan Lamoureux, noting this will be an important tool in advocating for seniors.
"The evidence base produced by this project will be an important tool in the development of networks, policies and programs that are better targeted to the needs and priorities of English-speaking seniors as they seek to age-in-place in their home province of Quebec," commented project lead Celine Cooper, who recognized the support of dozens of seniors who sat on steering committees, conducted research and are now helping with the dissemination of the data they helped collect.
"The QCGN and its member organizations are committed to enhancing the understanding of the evolving needs of English speaking seniors by political and community leaders, policy makers and stakeholders," said Lamoureux, who also acknowledged the Government of Quebec, which funded the research through the Soutien aux initiatives visant le respect des aînés (SIRA) program of the Provincial Ministère de la Famille et des Aînés. "As we strive to enhance the vitality of Quebec's English speaking communities through our senior populations, we look forward to continued collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, the provincial government, including the Ministère de la famille, other community groups and our members – especially Seniors Action Quebec."
"This report will provide us with the ammunition we need to effectively advocate for our English-speaking seniors," said Ruth Pelletier, President of Seniors Action Quebec which works to maintain and enhance the vitality of English-speaking Quebec seniors. "We look forward to working with our many partners throughout Quebec on the priorities that have been identified in this valuable report."
Read the executive summary of the report at this link: http://www.qcgn-seniors.org/uploads/3/1/1/0/31107745/executive_summary.pdf
The Quebec Community Groups Network (www.qcgn.ca) is a not-for-profit organization bringing together 41 English-language community organizations across Quebec. As a centre of evidence-based expertise and collective action 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.
SOURCE: Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN)
Rita Legault, Director of Communications, [email protected], Telephone: 514-868-9044, ext. 223, cellular: 514-912-6555
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