Northern LHINs sign historic French services agreement

North East Local Health Integration Network
News Release

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The North East and North West Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) held negotiations leading to the signing of an unprecedented funding and accountability agreement with the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario, named French language health planning entity for Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario.

FACTS

In 2010, the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, named six French language health planning entities who will provide the province’s 14 LHINs with guidance on the following items, pursuant to Ontario Regulation 515/09 Engagement with the Francophone Community under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 (LHSIA):

• methods of engaging the Francophone community in the area;
• the health needs and priorities of the Francophone community in the area, including the needs and priorities of diverse groups within that community;
• the health services available to the Francophone community in the area;
• the identification and designation of health service providers for the provision of French language health services in the area;
• strategies to improve access to, accessibility of and integration of French language health services in the local health system; and
• the planning for and integration of health services in the area.

The Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario will collaborate with the North East and North West LHINs to respond to the unique health needs of Francophones in these two large areas of the province. According to the 2006 Census, 24% of Northeastern Ontario is Francophone, which represents 22.5% of the province’s Francophone population. In Northwestern Ontario, 3.5% of the population is Francophone.

QUOTES

“We look forward to working with the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario to ensure the health and wellness of our Francophone communities“.
- Louise Paquette, CEO, NE LHIN

“The North West LHIN looks forward to working with the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord to improve access to quality health care for all residents in Northwestern Ontario, including members of our Francophone population. Together, we will create a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, ultimately enhancing French language health services across the region.”
- Laura Kokocinski , CEO, NW LHIN

"Our new network looks forward to the opportunity of working closely with the North East and North West LHINs to ensure the continuing improvement of Francophone services in the North of the province“.
- Gaëtane Pharand, Co-chair, Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario

“The Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario is proud of having been named French Language Health Planning Entity. We are happy to be able to work with Ontario’s North East and North West LHINs to support the strengthening and improvement of French language health services“.
- Fabien Hébert, Co-Chair, Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario

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