QCGN applauds Premier's message of inclusion and diversity

MONTREAL, April 24, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Community Groups Network was pleased with Premier Philippe Couilllard's inclusive message during his swearing in ceremony Wednesday.

"We share the new Liberal Government's vision of a Quebec whose citizens work together to make our home vital and prosperous, a vision we know to be a true reflection of our shared heritage, and sure path to a successful future," said QCGN President Dan Lamoureux.

Lamoureux extended his congratulations to the Liberals who are tasked with being the voice of English-speaking Quebecers in Cabinet. Kathleen Weil is back at Immigration with a new focus on diversity and inclusion, two issues that are near and dear to the QCGN, he noted.  He also applauded Geoffrey Kelley, who is making a return to his past post in Native Affairs, as well as David Birnbaum, who will be one of Premier Couillard's three parliamentary secretaries. "We offer our help in ensuring they can truly represent the interests of English-speaking Quebecers across the province."

The QCGN maintains that English-speaking Quebecers must be represented within political and administrative structures to ensure ongoing consultation, research and communication as well as coordination across ministries to guarantee our minority community is taken into account. The Network hopes this new Liberal government will finally achieve a level of success in ensuring fair representation of English-speaking Quebecers in the provincial civil service and on government advisory bodies.

Lamoureux points out that with a population of more than 1 million English-speaking Quebecers represent 13.5 per cent of the province's population. "We are an integral part of Quebec's history, present, and future. English-speaking communities exist across Quebec. Although 84 per cent of English-speaking Quebecers live within the Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, more than 210,000 community members live in the regions."

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: [phone], ext. 223 | Cellular: 514-912-6555