In Canada, every person should have access to health services where and when they need them, including in the official language of their choice. The quality of communication with a health provider can affect the quality and safety of the care someone receives. The Government of Canada is committed to removing the barriers that continue to exist across official language minority communities (OLMCs), including Francophones outside Quebec and English-speaking communities in Quebec.
Launched in 2003, Health Canada's Official Languages Health Program (OLHP) works to improve access to health services in the official language of choice for people in OLMCs.
Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced more than $15.4 million in funding over five years to Université Laurentienne de Sudbury, Collège Boréal, Université de Hearst and the Réseau du mieux-être Francophone du Nord de l'Ontario. The OLPH supports recipients whose projects will improve access to health services for Francophones living in a minority setting in Northern Ontario and promote the active offer of health services in French.
The three academic institutions receiving funding are members of the l'Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne - Volet consortium de formation en santé. And the fourth recipient is a community health network, a member of the Société Santé en français. The projects seek to increase access to health training programs in French; increase recruitment and capacity for training additional bilingual health service providers; increase internship opportunities; and increase the integration of graduates into the health care system, to better serve OLMCs.
This investment reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to meet the highest standard of accessibility possible to ensure every Canadian has access to the health services in the language of their choice, when and where they need them.
Additionally, this investment is aligned with Budget 2023 priorities to strengthen Canada's public health care system and support health workers across the country. Important common themes include continuing to strengthen access for underserved and equity-seeking groups, including Canadians living in rural and remote areas and those part of the OLMCs.
