CIJA Quebec: Jewish community satisfied with amendments to BILL10, ability to preserve community engagement in the network of health and social service institutions

MONTREAL, Feb. 9, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - In reaction to the passing of Bill 10 late Friday night, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA Quebec) expressed satisfaction with amendments brought to Bill 10.  CIJA Quebec VP Luciano Del Negro noted that "Ideally, we would have preferred a different solution to the problems facing our health care system, but, at first glance, the Jewish community is satisfied that the amendments introduced to the Bill will ensure that the network of health and social service institutions will continue to remain responsive to the needs of our community and the wider Quebec society."

When BILL 10 was tabled on September 25^th, by Health Minister Gaetan Barrette there was significant concern amongst many within the Jewish community about the implications to the continuity of the vast network of Health and social service institutions which are a source of pride to our community.  The current structure in place allows for significant and meaningful community participation in the growth and success of these intuitions and ensures their long term continuity. As originally proposed the Bill threatened our ability to continue to maintain community engagement.

The Jewish health and social service institutions of Montreal have a long and important history in Quebec, with the oldest establishment having been created in 1909, and the most recent in 1962. All of our establishments, the Jewish General Hospital, Maimonides Geriatric Centre, Jewish Eldercare, Mount Sinai Hospital, Miriam Home and Services and the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital have deep roots in our community.

"Our basic concern was to safeguard the intuitions, the links between the community and these institutions, the link of the institutions to their foundations and corporations. Of course we wanted to ensure that our corporations continue to exist with their assets and their rights as well as ensure that the socio cultural and linguistic character would be safeguarded " added Eric Maldoff who was the lead negotiator on Bill 10.  "In introducing these amendments Minister Barrette has shown a willingness to demonstrate a sensitivity to our concerns and to taking significant steps to introduce positive measures to respond to them."

The Centre for Israel and Jewish affairs is the advocacy arm of the Jewish community. 

SOURCE Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs

For further information: Eta Yudin, Associate Director, Quebec Public Affairs and Jewish Community Relations, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Quebec, [phone] x 3169, [phone] ; Follow me on twitter: @ecijaq; [e-mail]