Diversity and Quebec’s English-speaking communities: Negotiating inclusion and mobilizing resources

May 12-16, 2014, 82e Congrès de l'Acfas, Concordia University

Keynote speaker: Dr. Daniel Weinstock

Conference program and registration information (both in French). Early-bird rates available until March 31.

Conference description

QUESCREN and its partners have held three Acfas conferences to date on the subject of Quebec’s English-speaking communities (ESCQ), which form a language minority within Quebec and an official language minority of Canada. These events presented the latest research and developed research capacity through the establishment and reinforcement of ties between researchers and research partners. Furthermore, the subjects of ESCQ institutions, networks and resources all sparked fruitful discussion and debate concerning their development and role in Quebec society.

However, there can be no denying that these communities must operate in a changing political context while also dealing with the ethnic, religious, linguistic and geographic diversity of its members, not to mention issues of differentiation relating to social class and gender. Significant gaps continue to persist between the sociodemographic characteristics of the ESCQ, the social representations of Anglophones among the Francophone majority, and the definitions set out in federal and provincial laws and couched in terms of minority, community (or communities), or individuals for whom English is their mother tongue or the first official language spoken. Thus, notwithstanding the desire of members of the ESCQ to define themselves as Quebecers, they have been continually compelled to renegotiate their identity (or identities) and their inclusion in Quebec society. Aside from the discomfort arising from this situation, a number of genuine issues have emerged in respect of mobilizing the resources required to offer and adapt services for these communities. For example, community development, identity building and their renewal have been identified as key ESCQ concerns at the 2012 Quebec Community Groups Network Strategic Priorities Forum.

It follows that this year’s theme will be diversity, in relation to inclusion and the mobilization of resources (education, health, culture, media etc.). From the vantage point of researchers and community players, how can knowledge about these communities serve to meet the challenges of inclusion and resource mobilization? What strategies could be developed in order to satisfy the needs of the ESCQ while also contributing to the development of Quebec society and aiding it to address its own challenges of inclusion and francization? Which perspectives does research provide when it considers the different actors involved in resource mobilization for the ESCQ? How is this mobilization perceived throughout Quebec society? Do the ESCQ have their own model or models for integration and managing diversity? Are these part of the broader Quebec model?   Like its predecessors, this conference will be a great opportunity to meet, share knowledge and further develop our research interests.


Conference goals

1) To maintain our expertise on the subject of Quebec’s English-speaking communities by offering researchers, deciders and community organizers the opportunity to discuss research issues related to this population. This conference builds on QUESCREN’s previous Acfas conferences that helped establish “ESCQ studies” as a field of research. The 2014 conference will bring together previous and new participants, fostering networking and supporting the development of the next generation of researchers.
 
2) To inform the French-speaking research community of issues relating to the diversity (ethnic, linguistic, regional, economic and cultural) of Quebec’s English-speaking communities, and reflect on measures that can contribute to their social development.
 
3) To contribute to French-language scientific research in Quebec.
 
4) To promote community-university collaboration.


Background: The Acfas Congress

The QUESCREN/CIRLM event is part of the annual Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas) congress. Acfas congresses are important events that bring together hundreds of subject-specific conferences, including ours. Many of these conferences focus on Quebec and most are in French only. Next year’s congress will be held on May 12 to 16, 2014 at Concordia University in Montreal. Information on the congress is here.
 
QUESCREN’s conferences at the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Acfas congresses were ground-breaking. They were co-organized with the Eastern Township Resource Centre and the Équipe de recherche interuniversitaire sur la littérature anglo-québécoise as well as community partners including the Quebec Community Groups Network and Townshippers’ Association. Many academic, government and community-based researchers presented papers crossing disciplines but all related to the history and current situation of Quebec’s English-speaking communities.


Conference Organizers

Lorraine O’Donnell, Coordinator-Researcher of Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network (QUESCREN) and Anne Robineau, Assistant Director of the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities (CIRLM).


About attending the Acafas Congress

The QUESCREN/CIRLM event is part of the annual Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas) congress.  Presenters will be required to register and pay entrance fees that give access to the entire congress. For information: www.acfas.ca.