Community Council Spotlight: Latré Lawson
Amplifying Francophone and newcomer voices in health care
December 4, 2025.
When it comes to building a more inclusive and equitable health system, representation from the community is critical. That’s what drives Latré Lawson, a project officer in immigration and community engagement—and one of the newest members of the Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT) Community Council. “I joined the Community Council because I’m passionate about ensuring that Francophone voices, especially those of newcomers [to Canada], are heard and represented in our health system,” says Latré. “I want to help make services more inclusive and accessible for everyone in our community.”
The FLA OHT Community Council brings together people with lived and living experience—individuals, caregivers, and community members—to help design and improve local health and wellness services. Members like Latré ensure that the diverse perspectives of the region’s population shape how care is delivered.
For Latré, being part of this group is meaningful and motivating. “For me, being part of the Community Council is about ensuring that diverse voices are not only heard but actively shape how services are designed and delivered,” she explains. “Through this role, I hope to share my experience in community engagement and learn from others who share the same goal of making our health system more inclusive and equitable for all.”
As a Francophone community member, Latré has noticed firsthand some of the difficulties people face when seeking care in French. “One of the main challenges is the lack of consistent access to services in French, both in health-care settings and in community wellness programs,” she notes. “Even when services are technically available, people often don’t know about them or don’t feel comfortable asking. There’s also a shortage of bilingual professionals, which can lead to misunderstandings and discourage people from seeking help.”
Latré believes that a necessary step towards true health equity for Francophone community members starts with an active offer of services in French—meaning that services are clearly and naturally offered in both languages, without people having to ask. “Strengthening communication and outreach in French and promoting active offer of services in French would help families know where and how to access care,” she underscores. “It would also be helpful to strengthen partnerships between health institutions and francophone community organizations, so that services are not only available in French but also culturally responsive”.
Latré hopes that her involvement in the Community Council will help influence a shift towards greater health equity for Francophones across the regions – and she’s excited to be part of a truly collaborative and engaged network. “The FLA OHT brings together partners, service providers, and community members to find real solutions,” she says. “I’m inspired by the focus on inclusion and improving access to care for all—including Francophones and newcomers. Being part of a network where every voice matters gives me hope that we can build a stronger, more connected, and more equitable health system for our region.”
Looking ahead, Latré hopes the Community Council’s work will help shape a system where language and culture are seen as essential parts of quality care—not as barriers. “Together, we can create a system where everyone feels respected, understood, and supported.”
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The FLA OHT Community Council is made up of residents from across the region who help co-design programs and services that meet real community needs. Learn more about the Council and how to get involved on our Community Council webpage and about the work we are doing with the Francophone community.