LETTER

Response to Jean-Paul Perreault (September 21, 2016)

 

It is difficult to describe how I felt after reading Mr Perreault’s letter regarding the Liberal Government’s affiliation with the English language University of McGill (for a new medical school in Gatineau).

I am an Anglophone, born and raised in Aylmer and Québec. My parents and grandparents were also Anglophones, born and raised in the province of Québec. I am proud of my heritage. I also support the need to preserve the French language. My support, however, is inclusive. I believe that I am entitled to proper healthcare in my maternal language. His suggestion to offer medical programs in French exclusively excludes a significant population of native Quebecers! Both future students and patients in our region can benefit from bilingual services. Using words like ‘revolting’ to describe an initiative that is intended to be inclusive is, in fact, revolting!

In his letter he mentions health, quality of life and respect for the entire Outaouais region. I believe that respect includes the entire population and that my family has a right to bilingual healthcare in our region. Our health and quality of life is equal. His letter implies differently, but Mr. Perreault does not speak for me and my family when he asks the government to align with a strictly francophone university. On the contrary. I believe this is an excellent initiative to support medical education locally and leverage the program to recruit healthcare practitioners in our region. I’m thankful our government is looking for long-term solutions.

Nicole Richard
Aylmer