Quebec commission on accommodation practices to advise next month

Two academics heading a commission looking into how Quebec should accommodate religious and cultural minorities must now come up with recommendations after public hearings held across the province ended Sunday.

Sociologistand historian Grard Bouchardandphilosopher Charles Taylor co-chairmen of theConsultation Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to Cultural Differenceshaveheard from more than 3,000 peoplesince the provincewide publichearings began in September.

On Sunday, more than 200 people, including Asmaa Ibnouzahir, turned out for the last public hearingheld in Montreal.

"There was a lot of respect in the discussions and a lot of open-mindedness,"she said. "That's why I came."

Butit hasn't always beenthat way. The commission, which held public hearings in more than 20 communities, has heard some controversial and outrageous comments from hearing participants, such as a conspiracy theory about Jews in the Supreme Court of Canada.

"As the hearings unfolded and people came to the microphone andsaid whatever they wanted to say, and most of it went unchallenged, I was concerned that this kind of discourse could become accepted in a society like ours," said Victor Goldbloom, Quebec regional chair of theCanadian Jewish Congress.

At other times,comments made at thepublic hearings showed a growing divide between rural and urban Quebecers. Some people vowed to boycott the commission while others protested.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest, who announced the commission last year,had to takethe unusual step of writing an open letter, reminding Quebecers and his political opposition that the province'sglobal reputation was at stake.

Thetheme of Sunday's hearings wasmore about what people share than what separates them.

"At the beginningI thought the Bouchard-Taylor commission wassomething completely ridiculous," said Jacqueline Romano Toramanian, a commission participant. "But nowI think it's okay.It has allowed people to express themselves."

Thecommission isexpected tosubmit a report and make recommendations to Charest on March 31.