I will begin. What you say is true. The Montfort case went a long way to protect French-language health services in Ontario. It is because of the four networks that we now have in Ontario, following the ruling in favour of Montfort Hospital that we now have legislation to create a new health care structure in Ontario, with a preamble dealing with services provided to francophones in all Ontario communities. The act also includes two very important clauses relating to the new structure. First, there will be a French-language provincial council to directly advise the Minister of Health and Long Term Care on the needs of francophones in Ontario. Member agencies will be represented by people with an expertise in health, management and clinical health. This 10-member provincial council will advise the minister who will also consult with the networks.
A second clause confirms the work done by the networks. Up until now, the eastern network was the only one to be recognized through a memorandum of understanding with the Minister of Health and Long Term Care. From now on, there will be planning groups in Ontario's regions, including the North. The northern region has its network; it will be recognized through upcoming regulations. Official regulations should be in force in about three months, but the network is already in the act. There is therefore also an official French-language health services planning group in Northern Ontario. It was set up two years ago, with a board of directors; it is an organization similar to ours, but less experienced because we have been operating for eight years now. The networks in all of Ontario's regions are working within a new structure known as the Local Health Integration Networks. That is the new provincial structure. There are 14 of these networks in the province, with four French-language services planning networks responsible for the planning of French-language services.
We hope that, with these new regulations, the government will take a closer look at the needs of francophones living in the northern, southern, eastern and western parts of the province, and that a needs assessment will be made so as to advise the minister. This new, official structure is designed to ensure that the services are provided.