Commission Co-Chair Charles Taylor undergoes surgery on his left arm and will be absent from the initial stages of the regional tour

The consultation will proceed as planned and begin in Gatineau on Monday evening

Montréal, September 9, 2007 – Charles Taylor, Co-Chair of the Consultation Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to Cultural Differences (CCPARDC), will miss the first four stages of the regional tour because of surgery on his left arm.

The Commission’s public consultation program will proceed as planned and will begin Monday evening with the launching of the first regional citizens’ forum in Gatineau, presided by Co-Chair Gérard Bouchard, who will pursue the tour alone in Rouyn-Noranda, Sept-Îles and Saguenay. Charles Taylor will be present at the Saint-Jérôme regional citizens’ forum on September 24.

Professor Taylor fractured his left arm last April and has been wearing a splint since then. The fracture has been slow in healing and his physician recommended earlier this summer the insertion of a metal pin in his arm. This is a standard procedure that should require a brief period of convalescence. Professor Taylor will remain in Montréal in the coming weeks but will participate actively in the Commission’s deliberations.

“I am reading the briefs that we have received and will examine the reports drafted by our analysts on the testimony presented at the hearings and comments made during the forums,” noted Professor Taylor, who will be back at the Commission’s office in a week.

Professor Taylor, who is 75, learned recently from his physician that it might be possible to perform the surgery this week-end. He has organized his agenda in order to be ready should the operation be confirmed, which it was today, Sunday.
 
“My colleagues and I believe that Charles should focus on his health and then take the necessary time to recover,” noted Co-chair Bouchard. “We want him to come back in good shape, which explains the cancellation of trips to the regions.”

The Commission

The CCAPRDC, 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 consultation. The Commission will submit a report and make recommendations to the Québec Premier on March 31, 2008.

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