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National Identity and Immigration in Contemporary Quebec: Comparing Majority and Minority Perspectives
Tues., Sept. 24 | 12:30 pm | 223 Philosophy Hall | RSVP
Immigration and ethnocultural diversity have been at the center of debates in Quebec society since the early 2000s. These include: how governments should respond to demands from minority groups for religious accommodation; what are optimal inflows of immigrants to the province; and what degree of integration is expected from newcomers. What relationship do majority-group Quebecers expect to have with immigrants? And what relationship do immigrants and ethnocultural minorities expect to have with Quebec?
This talk attempts to provide some empirical evidence for, and reflections on, answers to these questions. It draws from multiple recently-published studies and the speaker’s in-progress research. The first part of the talk sheds light on how Quebecers define their national identity and the resultant ramifications for immigration and ethnocultural diversity. The second part of the talk presents evidence indicating an “identity deficit” observable among immigrants and ethnocultural minorities in relation to Quebec, and attempts to explain what may cause this weaker identification with Quebec.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Antoine Bilodeau is a professor of political science at Concordia University in Montreal. His research focuses on immigrant integration and the dynamics of openness to immigration and ethnocultural diversity in Quebec and other multinational states. He has led several large-scale survey projects investigating public opinion across Canada around identity, views towards federalism, and attitudes towards immigrants and diversity. Dr. Bilodeau is the recipient of Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award for Research (2023), as well as the 2016-17 Concordia University Research Award. He received his PhD from the University of Toronto. |
Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 