Quebec publishes new directive, clarifying old one, on language in health care [Video]

The Quebec government has issued a new directive in an effort to clear up any confusion around the use of language in the health network.

English speakers have the right to access social and health-care services in English in Quebec. 

The right was enshrined in Article 15 of the province’s law regulating social and health care services in 1992. It is now outlined explicitly in the directive sent Monday morning which seeks to clarify the original one the government sent in July, following widespread criticism from anglophone groups, politicians and health-care workers, among others.

“No validation of the user’s identity is required to access these services in English,” reads Monday’s nine-page document.

This newest directive replaces the one sent in July, explained a spokesperson for the health minister’s office Audrey Noiseux.

The new directive says that organizations in the social and health-care services network can use a different language when delivering services if it’s recognized by Quebec’s language watchdog.

“For …