211 Launched in Quebec City
211 was launched on May 1 in Quebec City for the regions of la Capitale-Nationale and La Chaudière-Appalaches. This is the first 211 service in the province of Quebec and the first ever French-language 211 service in North America. Over the past 6 years, development work has been undertaken to finally reach the point of readiness for launch. During the launch ceremony, 211 was described as a "ladder to the services" and is considered a significant asset for efforts to combat poverty and assist those in need in the community.
The launch ceremony was a vibrant event, with guest speakers conveying considerable enthousiam for this new community service. Speakers included Jacques Castonguay, (Board Chair / Président du conseil d'administration du Centre d'information et de référence de la Capitale-Nationale et de la Chaudière-Appalaches), Claude Vanasse, Executive Director / Directrice générale du Centre d'information et de référence de la Capitale-Nationale et de la Chaudière-Appalaches), Pierre Métivier (Chief and CEO / Président-directeur général de Centraide Québec et de la Chaudière-Appalaches), Régis Labeaume (Mayor / Maire de la Ville de Québec), Danielle Roy Marinelli (Mayor / Mairesse de la Ville de Lévis), Louis Champoux (Senior Vice Chair, Quebec / Premier vice-président, Québec, du conseil d'administration de Centraide Canada et membre du comité directeur pancandien sur le 211) and Yvon Charest (President and CEO of Industrial Alliance Insurance Company, representing insurers consortium / Représentant du consortium des assureurs).
The considerable efforts of Louis Champoux, (211 Canada Steering Committee), Céline Trudel (Centraide Québec - et Chaudière-Appalaches) and Claude Vanasse (Centre d'information et de référence de la Capitale-Nationale et de la Chaudière-Appalches) were highlighted.
During the launch ceremony, the first 211 call was placed by a representative of an organization for handicapped people who requested assistance in obtaining clothing. The 211 referral specialist was able to identify 2 nearby options for him, and was even able to tell him the extent to which the facilities were wheelchair accessible.
At the end of the ceremony Louis Champoux, on behalf of the 211 Canada Steering Committee, presented Claude Vanasse with the 211 license for signature.
With this launch there are now nine 211 service delivery centres up and running, with two more in the near future.
Félicitations à nos colleagues!
Deborah Spurr
Director, National 211 Initiative
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See pictures from the event
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