Feminist responses to the Bouchard-Taylor Commission

McGill Centre for Research and Teaching on Women to host daylong symposium

As Quebecers ready themselves for a provincial election, the McGill Centre for Research and Teaching on Women (MCRTW) will host a timely symposium to explore the issues that led to Quebec’s reasonable accommodation debate and the aftermath of the Bouchard-Taylor commission from different feminist perspectives. The event, which will bring together scholars and representatives from immigrant and women’s groups in Quebec, will take place on Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Room 232, in the Leacock Building, 855 Sherbrooke St. W., McGill University campus.

The reasonable accommodation debate and its subsequent commission pose particular challenges to feminist activists and thinkers alike. The question of how anti-racism and feminism should come together is one of special importance. This symposium aims not only to re-examine the proceedings and commission report, but also to generate critical discussion around the role of feminism in Quebec.

Panelists include: Alia Al-Saji, McGill University; Nancy Burrows, Fédération des femmes du Québec; Emilie Connolly and Robyn Maynard, Accommodate This!; Samaa Elibyari, Canadian Council of Muslim Women; Louise Langevin, Université Laval; Gada Mahrouse, Concordia University; Tess Tesalona, Immigrant Workers Center; and Daniel Weinstock, Université de Montréal.

For the symposium program: https://www.mcgill.ca/mcrtw/events/