The Government and McGill University join forces to retain Young English-Speaking Graduates

MONTREAL, May 23, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Minister responsible for Access to Information and the Reform of Democratic Institutions, and Minister responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers Kathleen Weil, announced today an agreement with McGill University to address the issue of youth retention through employability.

The Minister explained that through the agreement McGill will receive $ 925,000 over two years for three projects in collaboration with the McGill Institute for Health and Social Policy, Dialogue McGill, Youth Employment Services (YES) and the Townshippers Association.

• YES will receive 514 145 $ to help close to 400 young people through internships, French second-language training, mentorships and employment support.
  
  The Minister was also pleased to announce that the government and YES are already taking action by supporting the participation of one hundred English-speaking graduates at the C2 Montréal matchmaking event with fifty companies.
  
  
• The Townshippers Association will receive $310,855 to develop in collaboration with the CIUSS de l'Estrie: a French immersion program for healthcare professionals and recent graduates, activities to build intercommunity language links, and internships for young graduates. The program aims to improve access to quality care for the minority language population in the Eastern Townships while promoting the hiring of young English-speaking health care professionals.
  
  
• The McGill Institute for Health and Social Policy and Dialogue McGill will receive $100,000 to support research to better understand what motivates English-speaking youth to either leave or stay in Quebec when starting their careers.
  
  The other part of the project, conducted through Dialogue McGill will consist of a training program aimed at retaining Quebec's English-speaking health care professionals.

This agreement with McGill University is in addition to the agreement of $950,000 announced on April 23rd with Concordia University, also spread over two years, in collaboration with five organizations to promote the vitality of the English-speaking community throughout Quebec.

Quotes:

"Today the Government is taking the first steps towards developing targeted strategies to stem the brain-drain of our English-speaking youth. I am delighted to rely on the expertise of partners such as the McGill Institute for Health and Social Policy and Dialogue McGill, YES and the Townshippers Association to address this very important issue for the future of Quebec."

Kathleen Weil, Minister responsible for Access to Information and the Reform of Democratic Institutions, and Minister responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers

"When it comes to initiatives to reduce brain drain associated with the loss of young English-speaking graduates, McGill is a key player and a natural partner of the Secretariat for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers and English-Speaking Community Organizations in Quebec. McGill enthusiastically welcomes a new opportunity to partner with the Government of Quebec to improve the vitality of the English-speaking community and Quebec society as a whole by providing its expertise on the employability of English-speaking youth here in Quebec."

Daniel Weinstock, Director of the McGill Institute for Health and Social Policy

"Every year we help more than 4,000 people. We offer services that concretely help people integrate into the economy and stay in Quebec, but we have never had enough resources to help all those who need these services. We have found that the performance of our interventions can generate enormous benefits not only for the person, but for the entire Quebec economy. We are delighted that the Quebec government has had the foresight to invest in the future of young people."

Iris Unger, General Director, Youth Employment Services

"We are pleased that the Government of Quebec, through its Secretariat, has chosen to support this initiative because its development and deployment in our region will not only facilitate access to French as a second language training for English-speakers working in health care institutions in the region, but will create stronger links between the community, the education and health and social services sectors in Estrie. We are excited and ready to roll up our sleeves and work on this project."

Rachel Hunting, General Director, Association of Townshippers

Important facts:

The Secretariat, in consultation with the departments and agencies concerned, is responsible for ensuring that the concerns of English-speaking Quebecers are taken into consideration with regards to government orientations and decisions. The Secretariat works closely with departments and agencies providing direct services to the public and with organizations representing English-speaking communities.

McGill University's mission is to develop knowledge through its teaching, research and service to society. To fulfill it, it offers the best education possible to an exceptional student population of 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd cycle; it conducts excellent research according to the most rigorous international standards; finally, it provides services to society in areas where it is particularly an expert. The university has about 40,000 students.

Related links:

• Secretariat responsible for English-Speaking Quebecers http://www.mce.gouv.qc.ca/secretariats/srqea/index-en.htm
• Université McGill, https://www.mcgill.ca/

See also: Overview of Organizations and Projects Supported by the SRQEA-McGill Initiative

SOURCE Cabinet de la ministre responsable de l'Accès à l'information et de la Réforme des Institutions démocratiques