After controversial directive, Quebec now says English speakers have right to health services in English

The Quebec government has released a new health directive specifying that English speakers have the right to receive health and social services in English.

The five-page document repeatedly states that English speakers do not have to prove their identity to receive care in their language.

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It aims to replace an older directive, issued in July, which raised concerns that the government would limit access to health care in languages ​​other than French.

The government promised last month to revise the directive following criticism from English-speaking groups and some federal MPs.

Health Minister Christian Dubé said on X that the government never intended to restrict services and that the updated directive aims to be easier to understand for health-care workers and the general population.

The updated directive states that health workers can speak to people in a language other than French if patients request it or do not appear to understand French.