83e Congrès de l'Acfas - May 2015
English-speaking communities of Quebec outside Montreal, then and now: Portrait and analysis
May 26-27, 2015 - 83e Congrès de l'Acfas - Université du Québec à Rimouski
Keynote speaker: Alexander Reford, M.A., Director, Reford Gardens
For the program, click here.
Conference Description
Quebec’s English-speaking population shares a language but is divided into many communities and sub-groups. Identifying their characteristics is a challenge for research and public action. Language-based identity markers are often accompanied by other markers, which may be more significant for some individuals. These include a sense of belonging to a cultural group (eg., Irish, Pakistani, First Nations, etc.), a religion (eg., Jewish, Christian, etc.) or a territory (Montreal, Quebec City, Townships, etc.). Differences between communities and their situations are also linked to whether or not they have a historic presence in Quebec. This presence has a bearing on the strength of their institutions, the visibility of their representatives and, through these, the possibilities for dialogue with the French-speaking majority.
Establishing clear-cut criteria to define these communities is a complex undertaking. However, one broad trend may be identified: a growing and long-standing disparity between English-speakers in Montreal and those outside the metropolis. Up until now, most research has focused on the Montreal region, where more than 80% of Quebec’s English speakers may be found (Statistics Canada 2011). Our conference breaks new ground in looking at challenges and issues for communities living away from this critical mass. The challenges and issues include institutional maintenance, community capacity to mobilize, retention of youth tending to migrate to Montreal or other Canadian cities, attracting immigrants, and access to services in English as guaranteed under provincial and federal law. Our conference will address many of these issues. It aims to provide a sharper portrait of the English-speaking communities outside Montreal and to develop a critical and up-to-date reading of their situation.
In this context, our keynote speaker, Mr. Alexander Reford, will address the question of cultural heritage in these communities by presenting the case of the Reford Gardens from their origins to the present day.
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 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 Acfas conferences that helped establish “ESCQ studies” as a field of research. The 2015 conference will bring together previous and new participants, fostering networking and supporting the development of the next generation of researchers.
Please send your proposal in electronic format by Thursday, January 22, 2015 to Lorraine O'Donnell (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) cc’d to Anne Robineau (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Patrick Donovan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Evaluation of Proposals
A scientific committee composed of Lorraine O'Donnell (Concordia University), Anne Robineau (CIRLM), Patrick Donovan (Université Laval), Cheryl Gosselin (Bishop's University) and Paul Zanazanian (McGill University) will evaluate proposals. Authors of proposals retained by the committee will be informed by email in mid-February.
Language of Presentation
Acfas is a French-language venue. The conference organizers will be pleased to help provide English-to-French translation of conference material.
Publication of Conference Proceedings
The conference organizers will be exploring options for publishing conference proceedings if there is an interest on the part of the presenters.
About attending the Acfas 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 click here.
Partners
QUESCREN is a joint initiative of Concordia University and the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities. Canadian Heritage supports QUESCREN.
May 26-27, 2015 - 83e Congrès de l'Acfas - Université du Québec à Rimouski
Keynote speaker: Alexander Reford, M.A., Director, Reford Gardens
For the program, click here.
Conference Description
Quebec’s English-speaking population shares a language but is divided into many communities and sub-groups. Identifying their characteristics is a challenge for research and public action. Language-based identity markers are often accompanied by other markers, which may be more significant for some individuals. These include a sense of belonging to a cultural group (eg., Irish, Pakistani, First Nations, etc.), a religion (eg., Jewish, Christian, etc.) or a territory (Montreal, Quebec City, Townships, etc.). Differences between communities and their situations are also linked to whether or not they have a historic presence in Quebec. This presence has a bearing on the strength of their institutions, the visibility of their representatives and, through these, the possibilities for dialogue with the French-speaking majority.
Establishing clear-cut criteria to define these communities is a complex undertaking. However, one broad trend may be identified: a growing and long-standing disparity between English-speakers in Montreal and those outside the metropolis. Up until now, most research has focused on the Montreal region, where more than 80% of Quebec’s English speakers may be found (Statistics Canada 2011). Our conference breaks new ground in looking at challenges and issues for communities living away from this critical mass. The challenges and issues include institutional maintenance, community capacity to mobilize, retention of youth tending to migrate to Montreal or other Canadian cities, attracting immigrants, and access to services in English as guaranteed under provincial and federal law. Our conference will address many of these issues. It aims to provide a sharper portrait of the English-speaking communities outside Montreal and to develop a critical and up-to-date reading of their situation.
In this context, our keynote speaker, Mr. Alexander Reford, will address the question of cultural heritage in these communities by presenting the case of the Reford Gardens from their origins to the present day.
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 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 Acfas conferences that helped establish “ESCQ studies” as a field of research. The 2015 conference will bring together previous and new participants, fostering networking and supporting the development of the next generation of researchers.
2) To better inform the French-speaking research community on Quebec’s English-speaking community realities including mobility and identity issues and diversity (ethnic, linguistic, regional, economic and cultural); in so doing, to reflect on measures that may contribute to the social development of this “community of communities.”
3) To contribute to French-language scientific research in Quebec.
Background: The Acfas Congress
The QUESCREN-CIRLM conference 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 25 to 29, 2015 at the Université du Québec à Rimouski. Information on the congress is here.
QUESCREN’s conferences at the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 Acfas congresses broke new ground. They were co-organized with the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities, 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), Anne Robineau, Assistant Director of the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities (CIRLM) and Patrick Donovan, PhD candidate (Université Laval).
To Participate in the 2015 Conference
Researchers, professors, students, community organizers and policy makers are warmly invited to propose an individual paper (presentation) or a session grouping together three or four papers around a specific theme. Please follow these guidelines for each paper proposal:
• Name, job title, organisation, email address of paper presenter
• Title of paper (max. 190 characters, including spaces)
• Text of maximum 1510 characters, including the following elements if applicable: 1) subject of
3) To contribute to French-language scientific research in Quebec.
Background: The Acfas Congress
The QUESCREN-CIRLM conference 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 25 to 29, 2015 at the Université du Québec à Rimouski. Information on the congress is here.
QUESCREN’s conferences at the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 Acfas congresses broke new ground. They were co-organized with the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities, 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), Anne Robineau, Assistant Director of the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities (CIRLM) and Patrick Donovan, PhD candidate (Université Laval).
To Participate in the 2015 Conference
Researchers, professors, students, community organizers and policy makers are warmly invited to propose an individual paper (presentation) or a session grouping together three or four papers around a specific theme. Please follow these guidelines for each paper proposal:
• Name, job title, organisation, email address of paper presenter
• Title of paper (max. 190 characters, including spaces)
• Text of maximum 1510 characters, including the following elements if applicable: 1) subject of
research; 2) methodology; 3) brief presentation of results
• Short bibliography (max. 1 page) supporting the proposal
• Brief biography (5 lines)
• Short bibliography (max. 1 page) supporting the proposal
• Brief biography (5 lines)
Please send your proposal in electronic format by Thursday, January 22, 2015 to Lorraine O'Donnell (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) cc’d to Anne Robineau (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Patrick Donovan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Evaluation of Proposals
A scientific committee composed of Lorraine O'Donnell (Concordia University), Anne Robineau (CIRLM), Patrick Donovan (Université Laval), Cheryl Gosselin (Bishop's University) and Paul Zanazanian (McGill University) will evaluate proposals. Authors of proposals retained by the committee will be informed by email in mid-February.
Language of Presentation
Acfas is a French-language venue. The conference organizers will be pleased to help provide English-to-French translation of conference material.
Publication of Conference Proceedings
The conference organizers will be exploring options for publishing conference proceedings if there is an interest on the part of the presenters.
About attending the Acfas 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 click here.
Partners
QUESCREN is a joint initiative of Concordia University and the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities. Canadian Heritage supports QUESCREN.
