QCGN calls on Quebec for more funding for English-speaking community groups

The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) called on the Quebec government to take into consideration the financial impacts of policies affecting the English-speaking community.

This is what QCGN representatives told Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard Monday during a pre-budget consultation on Monday afternoon.

“Support should be provided to our school boards, CEGEPs, universities, and other institutions to deal with the adverse financial fallout of recent government policies,” QCGN Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge told Girard, who is also responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers.

The meeting included groups serving the province’s English-speaking community.

The QCGN calls for investments into English-speaking community’s organizations. The told Girard that due to inflation and the rising cost of living, they need funding for community organizations to be adjusted. She said budgets are not keeping up with the increased costs.

“Community sector organizations in Quebec have always been trusted and reliable partners of the Government of Quebec,” said Martin-Laforge. “They play a vital role in Quebec’s social development by providing information, assistance, delivery and support for key government mandates and services to the population, particularly to vulnerable citizens and groups.”

QCGN also called for a “real and meaningful dialogue” between Quebec’s English-speaking community and Girard to address the impacts of recent government measures they say are harmful to businesses, institutions and the economy, namely the new requirements for out-of-province students attending English universities in Quebec.