Health & Social Services

• Spoke out against Bill 28 (appointed boards)

• O.A. Task Force monitored acceptable levels of social services in schools.

• Presented to Rochon Commission, a provincial task force formed to examine the repatriation of health and social services in Quebec.

• Responded to White Paper, a draft legislation that proposed major changes to the boards of directors of health institutions in Quebec.

• Bill 142 passed by province: Legislation guaranteeing access in English to Quebec health and social service institutions. Committee consulted community for needs and participated with Régie Régionale de la Santé et Services Sociaux de l'Outaouais in recommending an access plan considered to be the most comprehensive in province.

• Encouraged English-speaking community participation on Outaouais health institution boards and trained new Board members.

• Participated in the Aware, Prepared and Linked program, an early intervention initiative for youth at risk of developing social and drug abuse problems.

• Works in conjunction with francophone health organizations to improve English-Language services.

• Lobbied and implemented new strategies for Access Plans for Health and Social Services

• Worked with institutions to ensure passing of Access Plans

• Joined the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN), a provincial anglophone health network formed in 2002.

• Found and nominated bilingual anglophones to English Advisory Committee at the Regional Health Board.

Historical/Cultural

• Hosts annual Community Awards Banquet to honor outstanding leaders, achievers and volunteers

• Donates Heritage Arts Award

• Supports Pontiac Artists Tour

• Producing Cultural Documentary

• Supports Artists in their Environment Tours.

• Supports Gatineau Historical Society.

• Supports community-driven efforts to bring culture to the awareness of residents and visitors.

• Produce quarterly Cultural EBulletin, a one-stop resource featuring cultural events of interest to English-speaking Outaouais residents.

• Member of the coalition SOS Lac Leamy trying to preserve this natural habitat and park.

• Lent our support in the public campaign for the Kitigan Zibi Reserve request to the Canadian Government and the Museum of Civilization for the return of ancient bones.

Economic Development/Employment

• Created the REDO and CEDEC

• Lent support to Pontiac Wagon Train

• Lent support for the Wakefield Train

• Lent Support for the Wakefield Bridge

• Regional Association of West Quebecers Economic Development Committee supported the Regional Economic Summit.

• Participated with the Blair Commission, which examined the lack of English-speaking representation in the Quebec Public Service. Government officially implemented measures to make the hiring of English-speaking Quebecers a priority;

• Sat on Federal Committee for Public Service Employee Development.

• Sits on Committee with Human Resources Development Canada and Travail Quebec to ensure Anglo participation in employment in Quebec.

• Held community information meetings for Small and Medium Business Enterprises in conjuction with Canada Economic Development and SADC.

Education

• Education Committee

• The actions of the 'Heritage Gym Action Plan' lobbying group, consisting of Heritage College staff and students with the involvement of the West Quebecers staff and volunteers, resulted in approval in 2002 from the Quebec Ministry of Education to proceed with the building of the long-awaited gym on campus. This fight had been ongoing for 9 years since the establishment of Heritage College.

• Sponsor prize in Western Quebec School Board Elementary Public Speaking Contest

• Heritage Autonomy Committee founded and funded by O.A. Heritage College successfully granted autonomous status as an English language public CEGEP;

• Information and assistance in eligibility for schooling in English continues to be offered;

• Linguistic School: Feasibility study on effect of linguistic school boards in the Outaouais. Consistent communications with Education Ministry regarding Linguistic School Boards and their effects on the minority Anglophone population.

Youth

• Youth Committee Polls

• 50% of Board at Regional Association of West Quebecers are youth

• Sponsored 2 youth to attend 'Forum for Young Canadians'

• Through "Challenge" program, students were sponsored to go to Camp Francofun to improve their capabilities in French;

• Sponsored "Challenge" summer work programs covering such topics as: Youth to Youth Video to help prevent high school drop outs;

• Developing youth initiatives for cross-country youth communication;

• Encourage young people to become involved in community life in Quebec through participation on the Board and attendance at provincial association meetings.

• Growing youth membership and commencement of Youth Commission

Speaking Out

• Community Consultation Project

• Estates General Brief and National Forum participation (status of French Language)

• Bilingualism in Ottawa (presentation to committee)

• Support Montfort

• Motto supports a strong Quebec and a United Canada;

• Bilingual Signs: O.A. supported local rights committees and enlisted services of constitutional lawyer to represent six Outaouais businesses that were charged and subsequently acquitted. Became very vocal and active during most recent acts by Parti Quebecois to limit English usage in businesses. Mobilized West Québec to demand English signage in accordance with Bill 86. Presented brief at National Assembly consultation on Bill 40 - an act to reinstitute the "language police". Supported bilingual signs in Ottawa. Provides business with information regarding bilingual signs - what can be done to better accommodate anglophones.

• Meets regularly with federal and provincial officials regarding needs and concerns of English-speaking minority in Quebec;

• Meets and communicates regularly with provincial MNAs and government organizations to present community concerns or solutions for policy-making and legislative purposes;

• Constant media contact communicating community's perspective on important issues.

• Presented to the committee and participated in the public forum of the Gatineau Strategic Choices Commission.

• Continue fight for across the board 'Linguistic Services Policy' in the new City of Gatineau.

Membership and Fundraising

• Membership receive quarterly newsletters informing them of Board and committee activities and providing information about recent and upcoming activities and issues of interest to the English-speaking community.  The newsletter reaches all regional media and all levels of government.

• Fundraising is extremely important for this organization: membership and fundraising contributions ensure that we are able to continue. Donations go directly into furthering our activities. Though we are still dependent on the generosity of Heritage Canada, what they offer is not enough to effectively support our activities.

• Held successful 1st Annual West Quebecers Golf Tournament in Sept/03 in support of New Residents Program.