Québec in North America:
Nation Building in the North
11:00 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009
Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall
Admission: free

Québec has attempted to maintain its language, culture and heritage while continuing to play a relevant role within North America. In an age of globalization, the Québecois have taken up the challenge to fully endorse integration on all levels — but to avoid assimilation. This commitment transcends party lines, but the emotional debate as to how this can best be achieved has dominated Quebec and Canadian politics since the 1960s. This presentation will try to explain the issues, and to provide a meaningful context for an American population.

Marc T. Boucher was named to head the Québec Government office in Chicago in June 2007. For the two previous years, he had taught at the University of Québec’s Graduate School of Public Administration (ÉNAP). Mr. Boucher previously served as director of the Québec Government Office in Los Angeles. Before that time, he held the position of director general of public affairs at the Québec Ministry of International Relations and served for one year as director general of policy and planning. He has also served as counsellor for U.S. National Affairs in Washington and New York, and was director of the Québec Government Office in Atlanta from 1994 to 1996.