ARCHIVED - 3. Vitality Indicators in the Halifax Francophone Community

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This section provides a visual representation of the community’s needs and priorities using logic models. A logic model, otherwise known as a flow chart, illustrates the links between the objectives or expected outcomes and the efforts made to enhance vitality in a specific sector (e.g., immigration) in a community. For each target sector, it presents the logic model the task force developed and the indicators corresponding to the expected outcomes. In the following logic models, the shaded areas indicate activities, outputs or outcomes already underway. The non-shaded sections of the table indicate remaining challenges.

3.1.  Community Governance

The logic model for the community governance sector focuses on five main areas of activity.

Networking and dialogue: Community governance depends on a series of activities allowing Acadians and Francophones in the region to meet and discuss. Events are organized to contribute to community dialogue and facilitate exchange between individuals. In the short term, these activities are expected to enhance cooperation between stakeholders (Outcome 1).

Planning: For the Acadian and Francophone community of the Halifax metropolitan region, strong leadership means efficient, integrated community planning. Community organizations are usually concerned with ensuring consistency in all planning efforts. In the short term, a regional and multisectoral development plan is expected (Outcome 2).

Training and research: Training volunteers and staff at local organizations, including non-profit associations, some educational institutions and local media, is an important asset for the Acadian and Francophone community of the Halifax metropolitan region. The community wishes to have access to existing programs or to develop new tools of its own to provide ongoing training for stakeholders. As a result, volunteers and staff will be appropriately trained (Outcome 3).

Promoting volunteering: The Halifax region benefits from a constant flow of Acadian and Francophone newcomers – either new immigrants or migrants from other provinces. One challenge is to integrate these newcomers through volunteering. Campaigns for more community action are the preferred means to promote volunteering. In the short term, this type of activity should lead to increased public awareness of the importance of community action through volunteering (Outcome 4).

Political representation: Strong community leadership requires political representation activities to make governments fully understand the importance of the Halifax Acadian and Francophone community. In the immediate term, these activities should raise awareness among politicians and public officials of the contribution of the Acadian and Francophone community (Outcome 5).

In the medium term, each of these five activities should, in its own way, increase community cohesion (Outcome 6), renew community leadership and enhance community involvement (Outcome 7), and ensure greater government support for community visibility (Outcome 8).

In the long term, the entire community should benefit from the political, economic and social contribution of Acadian and Francophone community leadership (Outcome 9).

 

Logic Model: Halifax – Community Governance Sector

 

Evaluation Tool – Community Governance Sector

Expected outcomes	Indicators	Data sources
Enhanced cooperation between stakeholders	Number of partnerships Number of projects completed	Organizations’ administrative records Literature review
Regional and multisectoral development plan	Diversity of the sectors selected Integration of the plan into a provincial plan	Literature review Ibid.
Appropriate training of volunteers and staff at local organizations	Number of courses offered Number of participants Participant satisfaction	Organizations’ administrative records Ibid. Participant survey
Increased public awareness of the importance of community action through volunteering	Number of committee members	Organizations’ administrative records
Awareness among politicians and public officialsof the contribution of the Acadian and Francophone community	Number of meetings with politicians and public officials Number of politicians and public officials on community committees	Literature review (annual reports) Organizations’ administrative records
Increased community cohesion	Number of activities or events involving more than two community partners Number of participants in community activities or events Number of volunteers during community activities or events	CCGH administrative records CCGH administrative records CCGH administrative records
Renewed community leadership and enhanced community involvement	Number of volunteers Percentage of new volunteers	CCGH administrative records Ibid.
Greater government support for community visibility	Number of government consultations of communities	Public officials’ records
Community benefits from the political, economic and social contribution of Acadian and Francophone community leadership	Average number of volunteer hours per capita Number of participants in activities Percentage of financial support from governments and the private sector	Census statistics CCGH administrative records Organizations’ administrative records

3.2.  Health Care

The discussions and analysis that helped to develop the logic model for the health care sector are based on seven major areas of activity.

Research: To take action on health care services and Francophones’ health, the first step is an assessment for better knowledge of the community’s needs (Outcome 1). Research is viewed as the first step in the planning cycle of health care services for Halifax Francophones.

Raising awareness in the Francophone community on the importance of the need for services in French: Obtaining health care services in French must be accompanied by raising awareness in the Francophone community on the importance of using such services and their benefits. However, the activity should be accompanied by tools to raise public awareness of services offered in French and the importance of well-being (Outcome 2).

Translation and technology: The current health care system uses tools such as Web sites, brochures and posters for patients. Translation of these tools has begun, and the Francophone community already has better access to information, promotional materials and services in French (Outcome 3). These activities should contribute to Outcome 2.

Coordination and networking: Coordination and networking activities can impact access to information, materials and services in French (Outcome 3). Effective procedures must be established to share information, best practices and resources between government officials, regional health boards and the community. This can be achieved through Internet directories, partnerships or forums for community stakeholders.

Influence of policies on French language services: It is futile to think that the goodwill of stakeholders is enough to ensure equal access to health care services in French. Access to information, materials and services in French (Outcome 3) requires legislative measures that actively involve health care system officials in a progressive approach.

Training: Human resources are essential in providing health care services in French. Encouraging the implementation and continuation of ongoing training programs for professionals and the public should lead to better-structured training for health care professionals (Outcome 4).

Recruitment and retention of health care professionals: Providing health care services in French requires a critical mass of available health care professionals. Developing and implementing appropriate strategies will enable the Halifax Acadian and Francophone population to increase recruitment and retention of health care professionals (Outcome 5).

The combined efforts in these different areas should, in the medium term, result in the Francophone community making greater use of health care services in French (Outcome 6).

In the long term, these efforts should allow Acadians and Francophones to flourish in French and benefit from a health care system that respects their cultural, social and linguistic values (Outcome 7).

Logic Model: Halifax – Health Care Sector

 

Evaluation Tool – Health Care Sector

Expected outcomes	Indicators	Data sources
Better knowledge of community needs	Number of consultations Number of persons consulted	Health institutions’ administrative records Ibid.
Public awareness of services offered in French and the importance of well-being	Number of persons using primary health care services in French Number of persons consulting the directory	Health institutions’ administrative records Santé en français’ administrative records
Better community access to information, materials and services in French	Number of persons visiting Web sites with French content Number of persons requesting literature and health care services in French Number of awareness-raising initiatives in the community Number of health care services in French Number of health care professionals who speak French Perception of the main obstacles to access	Health institutions’ administrative records Ibid. Literature review Health care institution’s administrative records or interviews with institution officials Santé en français’ health records Interviews with organization officials and a user survey
Better-structured training for health care professionals and the public	Number of training programs offered Number of requests for training programs in French	Santé en français’ health records Ibid.
Increased recruitment and retention of health care professionals	Number of initiatives targeting health care professionals Number of professionals taking advantage of these initiatives	Interviews with organization officials Ibid.
Greater use of health care services in French by the Francophone community	Shorter waiting lists Level of use of services in French Level of ease in requesting services in French	Health institutions’ administrative records User survey Ibid.
Acadians and Francophones flourish in French and benefit from a health care system that respects their cultural, social and linguistic values	Number of interactions with health care professionals concerning mental health Youth suicide rate Number of preventive visits (including statistics on women) Number of senior citizens receiving long-term care in their language	Data on Statistic Canada health indicators5 Ibid. Ibid. Ibid.

3.3.  Immigration

The logic model for the immigration sector is based on four main areas of activity.

Research and planning: All immigration-related actions must be anchored in solid research and meticulous planning. This requires literature reviews and consultations to better understand the needs of both the community and of immigrants (established or potential). The resulting studies, strategies and action plans will contribute to immediate results: a Francophone population and a business community that are well aware of the social, economic and cultural contribution of immigrants to Halifax (Outcomes 1 and 2).

Awareness-raising: Awareness-raising must operate on two levels. First, it should target the general public and the business community through brochures and other means of communication. This activity, together with research and planning, will produce the outcomes mentioned previously. Furthermore, awareness-raising must also target established immigrants in the region, a large group that must be kept informed (Outcome 3).

Reception and support for newcomers: Reception and support activities for newcomers are crucial for obtaining results in the immigration sector. Upon their arrival, immigrants should be able to count on unwavering support from the community. By developing tools and structures, the community will increase its reception capacity (Outcome 4).

Recruitment and promotion: Community and government partners must publicize the assets of Halifax to potential immigrants from the international Francophone community. Exposure to recruitment strategies and promotional materials should make potential immigrants aware of the advantages of moving to the Halifax area (Outcome 5).

The combined efforts should contribute to a more welcoming community for French-speaking immigrants (Outcome 6), and ease their integration and full participation in the economic, social and cultural life of Halifax (Outcome 7). Moreover, it should result in an increase in the number of French-speaking immigrants to the area (Outcome 8).

Thus, in the long term, French-speaking immigrants will contribute to the vitality and overall development of the Halifax community (Outcome 9).

 

Logic Model: Halifax – Immigration Sector

 

Evaluation Tool – Immigration Sector

Expected outcomes	Indicators	Data sources
Francophone population is aware of the social, economic and cultural contribution of immigrants	Percentage of organizations with immigrants on their board of directors Rate of participation in the community’s reception structures Number of Francophone events with a multicultural component Number of volunteers participating in promotional andrecruitment activities	Organizations’ administrative records Interviews with representatives of immigration organizations Literature review Interviews with representatives of immigration organizations
Business community is aware of the social, economic and cultural contribution of immigrants	Average time required to find a job or start a business Average time required to find permanent housing Percentage of community organizations with staff who are immigrants	Newcomer survey Ibid. Organizations’ administrative records
Established immigrants are informed of the existence and actions of the Halifax Francophone community	Number of children of immigrants enrolled in French schools Rate of participation in Francophone community activities	School records Interviews with representatives ofimmigration organizations
Increased immigration reception capacity in the Francophone community	Diversity of reception services offered Average length of stay by newcomers	Immigration Office records Conseil communautaire du Grand-Havre records
Potential French-speaking immigrants are aware of the advantages of moving to the Halifax area	Percentage of French-speaking newcomers	Census statistics
Welcoming Francophone community in Halifax for French-speaking immigrants	Nature of reception services offered Net migration Level of satisfaction among French-speaking immigrants	Immigration Office records Census statistics French-speaking immigrant survey
Integration and full participation of French-speaking immigrants in Halifax-area economic, social and cultural life of Halifax	Average time required to find a job or start a business Average time required to find permanent housing Unemployment rate among French-speaking immigrants Percentage of organizations with staff who are immigrants	Newcomers survey Ibid. Ibid. Organizations’ administrative records
Increase in the number of French-speaking immigrants	Proportion of the entire immigrant population that is French-speaking	Census statistics
French-speaking immigrants contribute to the vitality and overall development of the Halifax community	Examples of immigrants’ contribution to the overall development of the community Rate of retention of French-speaking immigrants Participation of French-speaking immigrants in Francophone organizations and community action	Interviews with representatives of immigration organizations Immigration Office records Organizations’ administrative records

3.4. Access to Government Services

The discussions and analysis that led to the development of the logic model for the access to government services sector were based on two major areas of activity.

Interdepartmental and intergovernmental cooperation: In order to adequately carry out their mandate, governments must know the needs of their Francophone clients well and organize services accordingly. The services must be delivered at appropriate locations in the community. Proper interdepartmental and intergovernmental cooperation will help to enhance and adapt access to government services (Outcome 1).

Promotion, staff training, consultations, ongoing dialogue and community mobilization: A range of planned activities are to lead to active offer, legislation and regulations, and services. Each of these factors contributes in its own way to enhanced and adapted access to government services in French (Outcome 1). Moreover, the aforementioned activities will lead to the production of promotional materials that will help the public make better use of the services offered in French (Outcome 2) and will also make public servants more aware of the needs of the Acadian and Francophone community (Outcome 3).

These efforts should result in an increased use of government services in French (Outcome 4) and in a cultural and behavioural shift in government departments and agencies (Outcome 5).

In the long term, all these elements will allow the community to live, flourish and develop in French (Outcome 6).

 

Logic Model: Halifax – Access to Government Services Sector

 

Evaluation Tool – Access to Government Services Sector

Expected outcomes	Indicators	Data sources
Enhanced and adapted access to government services in French	Number of government offices offering services in French Average distance from home to a government service point offering services in French Percentage of bilingual positions in the public service	Government records User survey Government records
Public makes better use of services offered in French	Public perception of the importance and presence of French in government services Customer satisfaction	Francophone population survey Ibid.
Public servants more aware of the needs of the Acadian and Francophone community	Presence of visual active offer in government offices Presence of verbal active offer in government offices	Literature review Ibid.
Increased use of government services in French	Number of government offices offering services in French Average distance from home to a government service point offering services in French Percentage of bilingual positions in the public service Usage rate of government services in French	Government records User survey Government records Ibid.
Cultural and behavioural shift in government departments and agencies	Public servants’ knowledge and perception of the relevance of services in French	Public service employee survey
Community lives, flourishes and develops in French	Rate of linguistic continuity of French as a mother tongue	Census statistics

 

Notes

⁵ Statistics Canada data on health make little use of the language variable. The only reliable source in this respect is the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), but the data is not broken down by province and territory: see CANSIM, Table 105-0111: Profile of Linguistic Minorities of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS 1.1 and 2.1), (mother tongue and first official language spoken), by gender, Canada, province and territory, occasional data. It may be worthwhile for official language communities to request that these data be collected and published, pursuant to the Official Languages Act.

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