The public consultation on accommodation practices offers Quebecers several participation methods

Montréal, August 14, 2007 – Gérard Bouchard and Charles Taylor, co-chairs of the Consultation Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to Cultural Differences (CCAPRCD), announced this morning the approach adopted with respect to the public consultation to be held in 17 Québec cities this fall.

Individuals, groups, organizations and institutions in Québec will be able to express in several ways their ideas and opinions on secularism, interethnic relations, collective integration or any other topic closely related to accommodation practices.

“We have chosen options that facilitate participation by individuals and groups, whether in writing or orally,” Mr. Bouchard noted. “It is important for all participants to be able to express themselves before the Commission in more or less official settings in order to create a spirit of and forum for dialogue.”

The Co-Chairs also announced the establishment of a 15-member Advisory Committee.

“Some of the advisers have already contributed to the Commission’s preparatory deliberations and their expertise in such diverse fields as law and religious sciences will be very useful to us during the public consultation,” noted Mr. Taylor. “The advisers have varied training and are of different origins and will support us by offering advice on broad issues and specialized or specific questions in the realm of accommodation.” 

Methods of participation  

• Individuals and organizations may submit a brief at a public hearing in each region of Québec that the Commission visits. They may also submit a brief to the Commission through its Website or by regular mail without presenting it at a public hearing.
• Individuals wishing to speak briefly to share their experience or relevant opinions will have an opportunity to testify at a public hearing.
• The public is also invited to participate in a regional citizens’ forum, an informal meeting moderated by the Co-Chairs to be held in each of the 17 cities visited.

• An interactive section has been designed for Quebecers who wish to express their opinions on accommodation by answering each week a question.
• The Institut du nouveau monde (INM) has been asked by the Commission to organize four forums on themes of province-wide interest. The first province-wide forum, open to all Quebecers, will be held in Montréal on Friday, August 24 in conjunction with the INM summer school. Interested individuals must register with the INM online (www.inm.qc.ca) or by calling 1-877-934-5999, ext. 263.

 

Activities in Montréal

Numerous activities are planned on Montréal Island: four province-wide forums, two regional citizens’ forums and five days of public hearings. The first regional citizens’ forum in Montreal will be held in French on Tuesday, November 27, 2007, and the second one, in English, on Thursday, November 29, 2007. Hearings and forums will also be held in Longueuil and Laval.

Registration and documentation

Dates and registration procedures have been adopted with regard to the participation methods proposed. All of the necessary tools (the consultation document, the participation guide, the timetable of activities, and the registration form) can be consulted online. Information on the consultation can also be obtained by telephone.

Website: www.accommodements.qc.ca
Telephone: 514-873-9420 (Montréal)
Toll free: 1-866-627-2412
Mailing address:      
Case postale 220
Succursale B
Montréal (Québec) H3B 3J7

The Commission

The CCAPRCD, Co-Chaired by sociologist and historian Gérard Bouchard and philosopher Charles Taylor, has been asked to take stock of accommodation practices and analyse all facets of the question by conducting a province-wide public consultation. The Commission will submit a report and make recommendations to the Québec Premier on March 31, 2008.

List of the members of the Advisory Committee.

– 30 –