History
Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Ontario
CHCs provide comprehensive primary health care and other services that address the social determinants of health. They focus on priority populations who:
- face barriers to accessing services due to geographic isolation or cultural or language barriers;
- are at higher risk of poor health or have an increased burden due to their socioeconomic status, age, social isolation, mental health issues, gender, sexual identity/orientation, or other factors.
There are more than 75 community health centres (CHCs) in Ontario. Each centre is a non-profit, incorporated organization governed by a board of directors made up of volunteer members. CHCs provide interprofessional primary care services with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention.
Why is it called the Centre de santé communautaire de “l’Estrie”?
In the 1980s, several organizations in Eastern Ontario began using the term “Estrie,” since the region was divided in the same way as the Estrie region in Quebec, into counties/townships (Eastern Townships).
As a result, organizations such as the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario (ACFO) de l’Estrie, the Centre de ressources familiales de l’Estrie (CRFE), the Régionale de généalogie de l’Estrie, and the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) were established.
Comprising the three counties of eastern Ontario, the Estrie region of Ontario has several similarities with the Estrie region of Quebec: both regions are located in the eastern part of their respective provinces, they are divided into counties and townships, their lands were granted to Loyalist settlers who arrived after the American Declaration of Independence, and they are occupied by a large number of Francophones who wish to preserve their language.
History
1991
The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is created through the initiative of a group of Francophone women who want to address the obvious lack of French-language health services in the Cornwall area.
Roland Beaulieu is hired as the new organization’s first permanent executive director.
1992
The CSCE joins forces with the project to create a French-language cultural centre in Alexandria and opens a service location in the same building.
1999
Following multiple requests and strong political pressure from the Crysler community, the CSCE receives funding to open another service location in that area. A full team, including a doctor, a nurse practitioner, a nurse, a health promoter, a mental health worker, and a dietitian, will provide services there.
2002
Mr. Beaulieu steps down as head of the CSCE and is replaced by Marc Bisson. Like his predecessor, Mr. Bisson works to consolidate and expand the services provided by the CSCE in the counties of Prescott and Russell and to advance quality French-language health services for the entire Francophone community.
2005
The CSCE learns that it will receive the funding needed to open a service location in Bourget. The numerous steps taken and political pressure exerted, as well as the feasibility study, clearly demonstrated the needs of this region.
2006
The CSCE begins offering services in Bourget in temporary premises, pending the construction of a building by a local contractor.
2007
The CSCE submits a study on health needs in the Township of Russell, which clearly demonstrates the relevance of establishing a service location in this community.
Additional resources are allocated to the CSCE through the Crysler location to fill gaps in this region.
2008
Official opening of the CSCE premises in Bourget in August, attended by the Honourable David Caplan, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care expresses interest in funding a second service location in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, specifically in Embrun. The official opening of the CSCE Embrun location takes place in November.
2012
The Crysler location is expanded. In addition to the construction of additional offices to accommodate staff, a community room is made available to the public. The room is officially inaugurated on June 4 and named the “Salle Irène Dignard-Amstrong” in memory of one of the main instigators of the CSCE’s arrival in Crysler.
2016
The CSCE celebrates its 25th anniversary. To mark the occasion, a large celebration is held on June 16, 2016, at the NAV Centre, attended by more than 200 guests. During the evening, the organization’s achievements and the valuable work of its staff are highlighted, and the future is viewed with optimism.
The Alexandria site moves its offices to Main Street at the end of August. This move will give the CSCE greater visibility within the Alexandria community by locating it in the heart of town.
Premier Kathleen Wynne visits Limoges to announce $425,000 in funding for the creation of a CSCE service location in Limoges within the Health Hub.
This location, which will be open three days a week, is scheduled to open in the spring of 2017.
2017
The new CSCE service location in Limoges opens in October in the Limoges Health Hub building and provides services to this community four days a week.
2018
The Embrun location moves to 649 Notre-Dame Street. This move makes the CSCE more accessible and gives it greater visibility within the Embrun community.
2020
A year full of change! Just before the pandemic, the Cornwall and Rockland Youth Wellness Hubs opened their doors, offering new support spaces for youth aged 12 to 25 in the region. The CSCE also plays a key role in the creation of local Ontario Health Teams, ensuring that the needs and voices of Francophone communities are fully heard and represented.
2022
The CSCE undertakes a major restructuring of its organizational chart to better respond to the organization’s evolution and the ongoing transformations in the health sector. The position of Assistant Executive Director is created to support leadership and oversee the CSCE’s corporate services, which are rapidly expanding. This reorganization—where managers become responsible for programs rather than specific sites—promotes more cohesive management and better coordination across all locations. At the same time, team lead positions are introduced to strengthen collaboration among teams and improve service coordination.
2024
The CSCE receives additional funding through the government’s Interdisciplinary Primary Care Team initiative. This investment allows the hiring of ten new employees, strengthening the CSCE’s capacity to offer more high-quality health services and improving access for the communities it serves.
2025
After more than 33 years at the CSCE, including 23 years as Executive Director, Marc Bisson retires at the end of the year. Lyne Martineau is appointed Executive Director of the CSCE, ensuring continuity of leadership and the mission of the Centre for the years ahead.