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Catalysts for Change

Achieving a Vital and Sustainable English-speaking Community

Over the past six months, the Priority Setting Steering Committee of the Quebec Community Groups Network held 19 consultations across the province where participants were asked about the local, regional, provincial, and sectoral priorities of English-speaking Quebecers. The consultations, which sought to identify “enablers” - that is, the conditions that would sustain the vitality of our community - also yielded a number of innovative ideas and examples of successful projects and activities. Following the consultations, five focus groups were held to validate the information and identify the emergence of major themes.

The purpose of this survey is to obtain your feedback on the information gathered during the Strategic Priorities Forum consultations and focus groups and to help identify strategies and actions that will support the vitality of our community.

The data from the consultations and focus groups has been condensed into six categories which we now describe as "catalysts":

1) Access to Services and Information in English;
2) Community Building;
3) Vitality, Identity and Renewal;
4) Leadership, Succession and Influence;
5) Economic Prosperity; and
6) Strong Institutional Foundations.

Improved and increased communications as well as community-driven research were also deemed essential to support various strategies.

We hope that you see yourself and your concerns reflected in these catalysts. It is critical that we, as a community, be in agreement with the strategic direction we are setting for ourselves so that we can act collectively. Your participation in this survey will help.

NB - Replies are anonymous unless you identify yourself at the end of the survey. If you identify yourself, we will keep you posted on the results of the Strategic Priorities Forum.

Thank you for your cooperation.


1.ACCESS TO SERVICES AND INFORMATION IN ENGLISH

Access to services and information in all sectors was the most common issue raised during our consultation with the community. There was a strong emphasis on access to health and social services in English as well as support for marginalized English-speakers including low-income citizens, seniors, as well as individuals with mental and physical disabilities.

How important do you think access to services and information in English is to the vitality and sustainability of the English-speaking Community of Quebec?
2.COMMUNITY BUILDING

The building blocks of a more vital community include greater collaboration among English-speaking organisations; more intergenerational cooperation; and more partnerships with the private sector as well as Francophone and native communities. Sharing expertise will develop the collective knowledge base of the community and diversifying funding sources will help ensure the long-term sustainability of organizations that support English-speakers.

How important do you think community building is to the vitality and sustainability of the English-speaking Community of Quebec?
3.VITALITY, IDENTITY AND RENEWAL

Increasing our visibility, sensitizing the Francophone majority to our reality, and working towards a Quebec that embraces ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity are crucial steps towards building a more sustainable community. Arts, culture, heritage and media are vehicles for celebrating and forging a distinct identity. Cultivating a sense of belonging for our youth and fostering their engagement through increased volunteerism and representation in leadership positions is imperative. Community renewal must be achieved through retaining youth and working-age individuals as well as welcoming newcomers.

How important do you think vitality, identity and renewal is to the sustainability of the English-speaking Community of Quebec?
4.LEADERSHIP, SUCCESSION AND INFLUENCE

Fostering strong stewardship within the community and its organizations and focusing on the renewal of leadership and volunteerism will nurture a more sustainable community. Ensuring political representation and inciting recognition and support for our community as an integral part of Quebec society is dependent upon building stronger links with the Francophone majority as well as federal, provincial and municipal government officials and politicians.

How important do you think leadership, succession and influence are to the vitality and sustainability of the English-speaking Community of Quebec?
5.ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

Economic prosperity for our community must be achieved through greater access to employment and educational opportunities for youth, adults, and mature workers. Increasing levels of bilingualism across all generations will widen long-term opportunities for English-speakers. Other crucial elements needed to achieve prosperity are investments in entrepreneurship, the creative economy, literacy and lifelong learning.

How important do you think economic prosperity is to the vitality and sustainability of the English-speaking Community of Quebec?
6.STRONG INSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS

Building and supporting strong institutions and strengthening the links between English-speakers and those institutions will help sustain our community. Public and private institutions such as elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools and school boards, as well as hospitals, community groups and faith-based organizations where the English-speaking community assemble, are the cornerstones of our community.

How important do you think strong institutional foundations are to the vitality and sustainability of the English-speaking Community of Quebec?
7.Are there major issues of importance to the vitality and sustainability of the English-speaking community of Quebec that are not included in our six catalysts for change? What are they?
8.To what extent can you endorse these six catalysts as the means to achieve community vitality and sustainability?
9.If you have participated in the Strategic Priorities Forum consultations, please indicate how.
10.Which of these groups best describes who you are? Please click all that apply.
11.If you wish, you can identify yourself.