QUÉBEC CITY, May 15, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - The government is disappointed by the open letter of the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) that was published on the website of the Montreal Gazette.

Since its election, the government has regularly met with a variety of organisations serving English-speaking Quebecers. Over the past few months, we have become aware of the scope and diversity of these groups and of the importance of the work that they accomplish throughout Quebec. One cannot underestimate the contribution of community groups in the protection of the rights of English-speaking Quebecers and the promotion of their collective well-being. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the Secretariat aux relations avec les Québécois d'expression anglaise has met with over one hundred community groups since its creation last year.

The Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d'expression anglaise was created to consider the preoccupations of the community and to ensure its full access to public services. This commitment was confirmed in the last budget, as reflected in the increase of funding to different programs aimed at supporting the initiatives of various community groups.

Once again, QCGN has voiced its displeasure and conflated various issues that are not linked. The open letter alleges that relations between the government and English-speaking Quebecers have undergone a decline during the past months. Christopher Skeete, the Parliamentary Assistant for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers has met with representatives of QCGN on multiple occasions. In February, the Premier of Quebec received its president and his delegation. The Secretariat, as well as the government, seeks to maintain communications with English-speaking Quebecers, a community whose representation is not limited to QCGN.

"I am very disappointed by this action. We have always shown ourselves to be open to dialogue, but this willingness should not be understood as an intent to submit to the dictates of anyone. QCGN is not the only interlocutor of the government, and English-speaking Quebecers can count upon the existence of more than one thousand community groups and institutions. Beyond QCGN, we have received positive feedback from other organisations of the English-speaking community."

Christopher Skeete, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers

SOURCE Cabinet du premier ministre

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