Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program


General Information

Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program

The Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program is designed to increase the number of French-speaking professionals available to provide health services in French in Ontario. At the same time, the program increases the opportunities available to French-speaking Ontario residents to pursue postsecondary studies in French.

Each year, in accordance with the Ontario-Quebec Agreement for the Admission of Ontario Residents to Selected Programs Offered in French at Quebec Universities, the two participating universities in Quebec – Université Laval and Université de Montréal – reserve a certain number of positions in specified limited-enrolment programs for participants in the Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program.

By applying to participate in the program, French-speaking Ontarians increase their chances of being admitted to limited-enrolment programs in health studies in Quebec, which are not available in French in Ontario. Candidates who are accepted must agree to return to Ontario upon completion of their studies to practise their profession for a minimum of twenty-four months in a region of the province that is designated for services in French under the French Language Services Act, and is considered to be underserv-iced. (A sample copy of the return-of-service agreement may be obtained from the administrator of the Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program, at the address provided below.)

The Government of Ontario makes annual payments to the Government of Quebec for each position filled by a resident of Ontario under the Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program. However, the program does not provide scholarships or other forms of financial assistance to successful applicants. Students are responsible for their tuition fees and other expenses.

Programs of Study

The Ontario-Quebec Agreement provides for the admission of up to five students per year in each of the following programs:


Programs of Study Participating Program Universities
Dentistry Laval, Montréal
Optometry Montréal
Pharmacy Laval, Montréal


Eligibility

To be eligible for the Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program, an applicant must:

  • be a permanent resident of Ontario (that is, must have resided in Ontario for at least the past twelve consecutive months, not including residence in the province for the purpose of attending an Ontario postsecondary educational institution);
  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
  • be able to undertake university studies in French;
  • intend to register as a full-time student in one of the selected programs offered in French at a participating Quebec university;
  • meet the admission requirements of a participating Quebec university;
  • agree to enter into a return-of-service agreement with the Province of Ontario upon admission to a Quebec university. In signing the return-of-service agreement, a participant in the program undertakes to work for twenty-four months in an area of Ontario designated for French-language services. The period of service is to begin no later than six months after completion of the program of studies.

Information on Financial Assistance

Information on student loans or other forms of assistance, including the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and the provincial-federal Fellowships for Studying in French, is available from university financial aid offices. Applicants may also contact the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities at the following address:

Student Support Branch
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
PO Box 4500
Thunder Bay ON P7B 6G9
Telephone:
1-800-465-3013 (Ontario Student Assistance Program)
1-800-465-3957 (Fellowships for Studying in French)

Application Procedure

To be considered for admission to a Quebec university under the Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program, applicants must follow two separate application procedures:

  • Application to one or more universities in Quebec: Applicants must apply directly to the Quebec universities in order to be considered for the positions set aside for participants in the Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program. The universities are solely responsible for setting requirements for admission and for selecting the applicants who will be offered positions. Applicants should consult the appropriate university calendars for program entry requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.
  • Application to the Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program: Applicants must also complete the Notice of Application form, (PDF, 32 KB) and submit it to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities no later than March 1.

The Notice of Application includes a declaration that the applicant is a permanent resident of Ontario, as defined above, and that he or she is prepared to comply with the program’s return-of-service requirement. Proof of Canadian citizenship (birth certificate or certificate of citizenship) or proof of status as a permanent resident of Canada must be included with the Notice of Application. Photocopies of relevant documents are acceptable.

Early in March, the ministry will provide the Quebec universities with a list of applicants considered eligible to participate in the Ontario-Quebec Program. Since the universities use this list in their selection process, applicants should ensure that the Notice of Application contains complete and accurate information about the programs and universities to which they have applied or intend to apply under the Ontario-Quebec Program.

Send the completed Notice of Application to the ministry at the address below no later than March 1:

Ontario-Quebec Health Study Program
French-Language Education Policy and Programs Branch
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Mowat Block, 8th Floor
900 Bay St
Toronto ON M7A 1L2
Telephone: (416) 212-2853
Fax: (416) 325-2156

ISBN 0-7778-9067-4