MONTREAL -
A controversial set of public hearings to determine how immigrants should fit into Quebec society is slated to begin hearing from Quebecers of all origins on Monday night.
The commission, headed by philosopher Charles Taylor and sociologist Gerard Bouchard, are holding hearings in 17 Quebec communities, beginning in Gatineau, Que.
As part of 30 days of hearings, the commission will first visit outlying regions such as Rouyn-Noranda, Sept-Iles and Saguenay, Que., where religious accommodation is a moot point because just a handful of minorities living those areas.
A spokesman for the commission says it's hoped a large number of Quebecers participate, but interest varies from region to region.
Sylvain Leclerc says most people wait until the last minute to register, so the early participation numbers could be misleading.
The most interest is expected to be in Montreal and Quebec City, as well as Trois-Rivieres, Que., which is geographically close to Herouxville, Que., a small rural Quebec town that stirred controversy earlier in the year by adopting a code of conduct for would-be immigrants.
