Panel Discussion: New Canadians

Those new to Canada need the opportunity join in our literary conversation if they are to participate fully in our country’s life. Beyond addressing the obvious barrier of language, how would a reading strategy incorporate the voices of all Canadians? There are language acquisition programs in place across the country: are they empowering or effective? Does reading have a role to play in the lives of newcomers to Canada?

Moderator: Stanley Péan

Françoise Armand (Québec)
Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Montreal, whose research is in the teaching of second languages, specifically in reading French as a second language in multicultural and multilingual contexts.

Body Ngoy (Ontario)
Founder and President of Franco-Présence in Ontario

Heather Robertson (Alberta)
Customer Services Manager of the Calgary Public Library since 2005, responsible for developing innovative programs targeted towards seniors, new Canadians, and persons with disabilities.

Rodney Saint-Éloi (Montréal)
Writer, publisher, academic and founder of the Mémoire d’encrier publishing house, and editor, and vice president of the literary section of the ANEL