The Bouchard-Taylor Commission’s recommendations

Montréal – The adoption by the government of basic texts in order to define open secularism and typically Québec-style interculturalism are two of the priority recommendations in the final report of the Consultation Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to Cultural Differences (CCPARDC). The report, which Commission Co-Chairs Gérard Bouchard and Charles Taylor made public on Thursday, May 22, 2008, also recommends additional measures to combat discrimination and promote reconciliation in the realm of accommodation practices. Recourse to the citizen route and concerted adjustment should be emphasized instead of the legal route from the standpoint of reasonable accommodation.

Foster concerted adjustment

In addition to promoting interculturalism by means of a statute, a declaration or a policy statement and open secularism through a white paper, the Commission invites the government to encourage interveners to assume greater responsibility in the management of adjustment requests. To this end, the Co-Chairs advocate more extensive training for interveners and reconciliation with respect to harmonization practices.

That being the case, our society also has key social and economic responsibilities. In this spirit, the Co-Chairs have also stressed how important it is for the Québec government to combat the many forms of racism and discrimination found in society.

“We must rightly insist on secularism and interculturalism, but we must adopt vigorous measures to more broadly foster the integration of immigrants and combat discrimination,” Professor Bouchard noted. “Our consultations reveal that members of the ethnic minorities are seeking employment much more than accommodation."

To this end, the Co-Chairs recommend that the government step up measures to accelerate the process of recognizing skills and diplomas acquired abroad. The report contains 37 recommendations covering an array of topics ranging from the wearing of religious signs by government staff to the regionalization of immigration.

“Our recommendations are in keeping with what is commonly called ‘the path that Québec has followed,’ Professor Taylor added. We are proposing neither a break nor a radical shift but only measures to facilitate intercultural relations and the normal development of a pluralist, modern society.”

The Commission

At the request of Premier Jean Charest, the CCPARDC took stock of accommodation practices, conducted a public consultation throughout Québec and examined the attendant questions.

Individuals, groups and associations submitted over 900 briefs and 241 people testified during the 31 days of hearings. All told, 22 regional forums attracted 3 423 participants and over 800 people took part in four province-wide forums. Moreover, 13 research projects conducted by specialists from Québec universities were commissioned and 31 focus groups were organized throughout Québec in which participants came from varied backgrounds.

When it concludes its activities in June, the CCPARDC will have spent $3.7 million of a total budget of $5.1 million.

WEB SITE : www.accommodements.qc.ca

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