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Concordia receives $950,000 grant to develop research on Quebec’s English-speaking communities

Concordia's Quebec English-speaking Communities Research Network hailed as 'obvious choice to work with' for their substantial expertise
April 23, 2018
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© Concordia University, photo by Lisa Graves
© Concordia University, photo by Lisa Graves

Concordia researchers can now connect more deeply with the community on research related to English-speaking Quebecers thanks to a new grant from the Quebec government.

The Quebec English-speaking Communities Research Network (QUESCREN) has been awarded a $950,000 grant through the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise (Secretariat for relations with English-speaking Quebecers).

Kathleen Weil, Minister responsible for Access to Information and the Reform of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers, announced the funding this morning during a press conference at the John Molson Building (MB).

“For the Secretariat for relations with English-speaking Quebecers, it seemed like an obvious choice to work with a university which, over the years and in the course of its research, has acquired substantial expertise and an extensive network that will help us to more quickly and efficiently launch a series of initiatives aimed at English-speaking communities in Quebec. I have a lot of hope for this partnership,” says the Honourable Kathleen Weil.

Kathleen Weil, Minister responsible for Access to Information and the Reform of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers The Honourable Kathleen Weil at a press conference at Concordia on April 23, 2018.

The grant aims to support the vitality of Quebec’s English-speaking communities through research projects, as well as conferences and outreach activities that connect educators, artists, community organizations and the provincial government. The funding will be distributed over a two-year period.

Of the total amount, $350,000 will go to support QUESCREN, a unit of the School of Community and Public Affairs, and the remaining $600,000 will support research and outreach activities by the unit’s community partners.

“This furthers our mission of community engagement by supporting QUESCREN in developing research projects in collaboration with our Quebec community partners,” says Chedly Belkhodja, principal of the School of Community and Public Affairs and QUESCREN co-director.

QUESCREN’s projects include supporting the priorities of its Inter-Level Educational Table, as well as building and developing research capacity in studies related to English-speaking communities of Quebec — a research field that has historically been underfunded.

The grant will also allow QUESCREN to build a core team of researchers and stakeholders to plan and apply for major grants. Four students will be hired and tasked with priority research projects, one of which will be a baseline study to lay the foundation for an internship program with the provincial government.

In addition, QUESCREN’s conferences and community events, as well as its forum, “Minority Community Vitality through Education,” will receive funding support. A feasibility study that explores the possibility of establishing a Centre for Excellence in Social Economy in the School of Community and Public Affairs will also be conducted in collaboration with QUESCREN’s partners.

“We are most grateful for this grant that will position QUESCREN as a leader in research on English communities across the province of Quebec,” says André Roy, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science.

Partners in research

This project is funded by the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise.

Launched in November 2017, the Secretariat works in close collaboration with English-speaking community organizations and institutions as well as government ministries and bodies to ensure that the concerns of English-speaking Quebecers are taken into account in government directions and decisions.

QUESCREN is a collaborative network of researchers, stakeholders, educational and other institutions that was established in 2008 to improve how Quebec’s English-speaking communities are understood and to promote their vitality.


Find out more about the
School of Community and Public Affairs and the Quebec English-speaking Communities Research Network.



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