In its eighth consecutive year, Quebec’s Action Week Against Racism is a clear indication that the province is open and welcoming to diverse cultural groups and that it is working to ease the settlement and integration of newcomers into Quebec society. The theme of this year’s event is The Workplace: A Racism-Free Zone and it is dedicated to encouraging the open discussion and development of ideas to make Quebec a society free of any discrimination. Given the importance ofQuebec immigration to maintaining population and economic growth, the ideas and results that come from this week will be very valuable to all Quebec society.

Among the many events that are scheduled for the next ten days are lectures and talks at cultural centres around Montreal, roundtable discussions on various issues, and a Human Rights film festival. A youth summit, the Rendez-Vous des Jeunes, which will take place over the course of the week, brings together delegates aged 18 to 35 from various countries to deliberate ways to set up workplaces that are racism-free. Organizers of the event are also targeting their message to children by way of parent/child workshops and moderated discussions in high schools.

Though no society is completely free of discrimination, Quebec is very supportive of the many cultural groups that comprise the province. There is, however, always room for improvement and this is the aim of the Action Week Against Racism.