Vanier College Board of Directors opposes sections of the proposed Quebec Charter of Values

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On October 15, 2013, at a regular meeting, the Vanier College Board of Directors passed the following resolution:

                “Whereas the restrictions in the section of the proposed Quebec Charter that pertains to wearing religious symbols considered too “ostentatious” for public sector employees will result in stigmatization and job discrimination;

                Whereas people who wear such symbols as an expression of their identity will be ineligible for employment in the public and para-public sectors, for reasons apart from their ability and qualifications to do the job;

                Whereas some of our students will be refused the possibility of a “stage” or, after graduation, a job, for reasons other than their ability and qualifications;

Be it resolved that the Vanier College Board of Directors opposes this section of the proposed Quebec Charter.”

Providing a safe and respectful environment and a place for dialogue

“With more than 6,500 students representing close to 90 nationalities, Vanier College is the most culturally diverse cegep in Quebec, a fact that has always been a source of pride and celebration,” says Vanier Director General Gilbert Héroux.  “With such a varied student body, Vanier is especially mindful of providing a safe and respectful learning environment, a space where tolerance and dialogue are prized above all, and where support measures are in place to ensure all its students succeed in their studies.”

At Vanier many events focus on timely issues

Vanier College is especially active in organizing festivals and symposia that enrich student life and focus on timely themes and concerns.  Hence, over the next few weeks several events that are fully supported and endorsed by the Board of Directors and the Director General of Vanier College, will take place.  Each event will provide an opportunity to explore the proposed Charter of Values and discuss it from all sides.

A talk on Muslim Women and Veiling

On Friday, October 25th, as part of the 2013 Social Science Festival whose theme this year is “Voices”, guest speaker Roshan Jahangeer from York University will present Muslim women and veiling: Voices from the margins. This presentation will examine religious practices and present testimonies from field research about the experiences of Muslim women in France where laws that prohibit the wearing of “religious symbols” in public schools have existed since 2004.

Students tell of their experiences of Interculturalism

The following week, as part of the 2013 English Symposium entitled “Timeline”, a student panel on Interculturalism at Vanier College will take place on Wednesday October 30th.  Many students at Vanier have their own experiences of the diaspora to talk about, as they or their families have immigrated to Montreal from elsewhere. The panel will look at the challenges they face when the culture at school, at work, or among peers is at odds with the one at home. This is an opportunity for students to express their unique experiences and to hear those of their peers.

A Student Panel on the proposed Charter of Values, moderated by Nancy Wood

Then on Thursday, November 7, 2013, a student panel moderated by CBC’s Nancy Wood and organized by Marlene Grossman of the Vanier Psychology Department with the support of the Kleinmann Family Foundation and the Director General will directly address the pros and cons of the proposed Charter of Values with participants representing both sides of the debate.