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4.1 Renewal

The predominant concern expressed in Québec City during this study was the question of renewal: how to enhance the vitality of the community so that youth see a future in terms of working and living in the place where they grew up. The particular challenge for the English-speaking community of Québec City is how to convince youth, families and employers that bilingualism in young English speakers is an asset to be exploited and harnessed. The goal is first and foremost to encourage young English speakers to live and work in the area, and to have employers draw on local resources before searching elsewhere.

4.2 Effective organization

A second element that emerged in the discussions from all sectors is the need for better capacity and more effective community organization. The common themes expressed were networking, governance and support to ensure the establishment, maintenance and expansion of programs, services and facilities for the community. Creation of the Holland Resources Development Corporation illustrates the importance of structure, orientation and capacity in institutional development and management. It now ensures an expanding scope of community services that might otherwise not exist.

4.3 Engagement

The third element that was mentioned consistently in the discussions was the need to engage in outreach, both within and outside the community. Raising awareness among the English-speaking community on numerous issues, and promoting dialogue and partnerships with the French-speaking community were seen as important for all of the four vitality sectors. In the first instance, outreach to the wider English-speaking community is required to counter the perception that nothing is available to the English-speaking community in Québec City, which encourages people to move away. In the second instance, being able to respond to the needs of the English-speaking community requires that the majority community be more aware of the presence and situation of the minority community.