Les services de santé et les services sociaux en français ne sont accessibles qu’auprès d’un quart de la population francophone au Manitoba (de Moissac, 2011). Une pénurie de professionnels pouvant offrir des services en français est perçue comme un obstacle important pour les usagers qui recherchent ces services et pour les professionnels qui voudraient assurer un suivi en français pour leurs clients. Une hésitation à s’identifier comme francophone et un manque de connaissance des ressources disponibles en français contribuent-ils à cette perception de pénurie? Cet article traite des défis entourant l’offre de services de santé et de services sociaux en français au Manitoba et suggère des pistes de solutions.

Des progrès considérables sont constatés dans l’offre de services et la formation de professionnels dans le domaine des services sociaux et de santé en français au Manitoba depuis les 30 dernières années. L’objectif de cette recherche est de mieux connaître la perception des usagers quant aux services couramment disponibles et aux barrières réduisant l’accès à ces services. L’obtention de services en français est importante pour la population francophone, particulièrement pour les aînés et les immigrants. En moyenne, 50 % des répondants disent demander des services en français, mais seulement 25 % affirment les recevoir. La pénurie de professionnels pouvant offrir des services en français est considérée comme la barrière principale à l’accès. L’offre active est essentielle et facilite la prestation des services dans la langue de choix de la clientèle.Over the past 30 years considerable progress has been made with regard to the delivery of services and professional training in the area of health and social services for the French-language population of Manitoba. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the client’s perspective with respect to access and obstacles preventing access to these services. Services in French are important, particularly for elderly and immigrant clients. On average, half of the participants request services in French, but only one quarter report receiving them. A shortage of professionals able to provide services in French is perceived as the greatest barrier to access. A pro-active approach is essential to provide care to the client in his or her language of choice

Evidence suggests that language barriers present obstacles to healthcare access and quality for Francophone seniors in official language minority communities across Canada. Addressing language barriers and providing continuity is challenging, as French language services (FLSs) rely heavily on bilingual providers and the practice of active offer by all staff. This qualitative research used semi-structured group and individual interviews to explore mechanisms supporting FLS coordination and continuity in two Canadian provinces. Identification of the language variable in health records, virtual healthcare, and FLS directories are conducive to FLS continuity, but financial and resource limitations present major obstacles. Management strategies to facilitate continuity of FLS across health organizations are discussed.

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Perceived sense of belonging and positive social climate on campus are crucial elements for post-secondary students, as they contribute to academic achievement, positive mental health, and help-seeking. Few studies have explored post-secondary students’ sense of belonging and perceptions of social climate in an official language minority campus, which attract Canadian-born francophones, anglophones who pursue higher education in their second language, and francophone international students. With declining student mental health and greater ethnolinguistic diversity of post-secondary students on Canadian campuses, this important study aims to explore francophone students’ perceived sense of belonging and social climate on campus. In total, 35 students from different ethnolinguistic backgrounds took part in focus groups or individual interviews. Domestic students with French as their first language more often reported positive social climate on campus and a sense of belonging, in contrast to international students and students with French as a second language. A common obstacle to connecting with others was language insecurity in one of the official languages, as both are currently used on campus. Universities hosting students of multiple linguistic diversities should provide courses and campus events to stimulate intercultural knowledge and dialogue.