Following her participation in the international conference “State and Religions” at the Université catholique de Louvain(UCL)in Belgium, on November 25th 2016, Professor Pascale Fournier was approached by the Legal Publishing House ANTHEMIS to contribute to the writing of a chapter which would be included in a book that just came out. In bringing together UCL,…
Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2018, The University of Ottawa – Faculty of Law – Civil Law Section Following an international recruitment process, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation has appointed Professor Pascale Fournier as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 30, 2018. As the first woman in this position, she will lead one of Canada’s…
Montreal, April 18th, 2018 Dear members of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation community, It is with great enthusiasm that I announce the appointment of Professor Pascale Fournier, Ad.E., as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, effective July 30, 2018. Thanks to a rigorous international recruitment process conducted by Perrett Laver,…
Pascale Fournier and Jacques Berlinerblau are proud to co-author an article in the journal Secularism and Nonreligion entitled “Reframing Secularist Premises: Divorce Among Traditionalist Muslim and Jewish Women within the Secular State“. This publication is a continuation of the collaboration between the two researchers. In 2014, both authors had the opportunity to contribute to the…
On March 9, 2018, as part of a visit to England where Professor Fournier will have the opportunity to present at Oxford University and meet several colleagues regarding her recent SSHRC project, she will give a lecture at the Lauterpacht Center for International Law, as part of a series of lectures organized by the Center….
To mark International Women’s Day, Professor Fournier is invited to present on March 8, 2018 “Gender, Religion, and the Law”, a presentation organized by the Children’s and Family Law Discussion Group, [CFLDG] at Oxford University. This day, which celebrates the history and place of women in contemporary society, is a good opportunity for the CFLDG…
On Thursday March 15th 2018, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law will receive Rodney Small, the young teenager who, in 1997, was at the heart of a Supreme Court decision pertaining to the recognition of systemic racism when establishing the credibility of a witness. In R v S (RD), in rendering a…
On Thursday, March 29, 2018, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law has the privilege of hosting Jacques Berlinerblau, Professor at the prestigious Georgetown University, Director of the Center for Jewish Civilization, and Chairman of the Jewish Civilization Rabbi Harold White. Professor Berlinerblau writes and publishes on a variety of topics, including the…
On March 22nd 2018, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law will welcome Roméo Saganash, a Cree lawyer and politician, to discuss the meaning and scope of aboriginal rights in Canada in light of the reconciliation process undertaken by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In 2015, the Commission published a report acknowledging the suffering of those affected directly…
On February 1st 2018, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law will welcome Mindy Pollack, the first Hassidic Jewish woman to be elected as a municipal councillor in Montreal. In the context of the famous Supreme Court of Canada Amselem case heard in 2004, Mindy Pollack will share her perspective on multiculturalism without…
On January 25th 2018, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law will welcome Gurbaj Singh Multani, the young teenager who appealed his case for freedom of religion before the highest tribunal of the country in 2006. In Multani v Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Multani was defending his right to wear his kirpan at school,…
Professor Pascale Fournier will be honored to be the keynote speaker for the annual conference of the Centre de recherche Société, Droit et Religions of Sherbrooke University (SoDRUS). This year, the theme of the conference will be « Muslim communities in Canada: religion, law, and politics. Perspectives on vivre-ensemble in democratic spaces, identity pluralism and faith…
On January 18th 2018, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law invites Marie-Thérèse Toutant to discuss and share her personal experience of the scope and the essence of people’s rights and freedoms. On the occasion of a discussion of the very polemical decision reached by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2012 in…
This spring, Professor Fournier will co-publish with her student, Anne-Sophie Ouellet, an article in the European and International Journal of Tax law, entitled « Union, disunion and reunion: tax analysis of families in Canada ». This article focuses on the definition of the « family » in Canadian tax law and on how this definition impacts the right to…
Invited by the Centre canadien de français juridique inc (CCFJ), Professor Pascale Fournier will deliver the keynote speech at the occasion of their annual workshop for perfecting French legal terminology addressed to Crown prosecutors, probation officers and court clerks from across Canada. Created in 2010 to contribute to the Department of Justice’s efforts to improve…
Great news: the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law led by Professor Pascale Fournier has been renewed for a 5 year period, namely until October 2023! Professor Fournier was appointed as the Chair holder in 2012. The renewal of the Chair is made following the recommendation of the University of Ottawa Research Chairs…
It is with great honour that Professor Pascale Fournier accepted to participate in the Christmas fundraising campaign for La Petite Maison. Founded in 1977, the organization that is dear to her heart welcomes and accompanies single-parent women and their children by offering different services such as daycare and workshops. The organization dedicates itself to individualised…
The 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation has prompted a national dialogue on the nature of our country, its history, and the promise and challenges of the future. The College of the Royal Society of Canada will host a series of events all across Canada, from Halifax to Vancouver to discuss Canada’s Constitution and its relevance…
The Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law is proud to be associated with the Human Rights Research and Education Centre and with the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada to champion: Law & Mental Health: Walking Side by Side A large-scale interdisciplinary event taking place on:…
Pascale Fournier, Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law and Full Professor in the University of Ottawa Civil Law Section, was awarded the prestigious Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) “Insight Grant” in the amount of $184,757 for the 2017-2022 period. Insight Grants support research excellence in the social sciences and humanities. Funding…
Pascale Fournier, Full Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa and Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law, has recently authored three chapters in different academic publications, all to be published this fall. Her first two contributions relate to the topic of religious and civil divorce in France and England…
On May 19th 2016, Pascale Fournier, Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law and Full Professor at the Civil Law Section of the University of Ottawa, had the honor of being awarded the Capital Educators’ Award by the Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE). She received the award during “EduGala”, an annual celebration of excellence…
On May 17th 2016, Pascale Fournier (Law, 1997) had the pleasure of being honored by the Association des diplômés de l’Université Laval (ADUL), in association with the Fondation de l’Université Laval, during its annual gala celebrating the 2016 instalment of the “Great Alumni” series. Professor Fournier and seven colleagues were awarded the Gloire de l’Escolle…
On May 11 2016, Cégep Garneau, located in the heart of Québec City, celebrated the launch of its Association of graduates, which counts more than 61,000 members. The Association is unique in the Québécois collegiate community, where alumnus groups are rare and where dialogue is often pursued digitally. The Association’s mission is to create, maintain…
Professor Pascale Fournier has written an enthusiastic review of “Gender and Migration in Italy”, a book edited by Elisa Olivito, director of research projects at the University of Rome, and recently published by Ashgate Publishing. The book discusses the recent migratory flows to Europe and the considerable changes they have brought to many countries. The…
On April 11th 2016, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law hosted an enriching discussion on mediation and participative justice in Québec and Canada. Me Claudia P. Prémont, Bâtonnière of Québec, and the Honorable Justice Marc E. De Wever of the Québec Superior Court, had the opportunity to share their visions of the…
On April 7th 2016, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law had the great pleasure of welcoming the Honourable Madam Justice Claire L’Heureux-Dubé in the context of a discussion on the right to equality. Passionate as always, Madam Justice L’Heureux-Dubé had the opportunity to share her profoundly humanist vision of today’s social realities…
On April 4th 2016, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law had the pleasure of welcoming the honorable judge Jacques Nadeau of the Court of Québec (Youth Division, Montreal), in the context of a discussion on children’s rights and the particularities of practicing in this area. Mr. Justice Nadeau discussed the notion of…
Professor Fournier is back in town, following a whirlwind visit to Scotland at the prestigious St Andrews University. Professor Fournier had the pleasure of giving the School of Divinity’s 2016 Religion and Politics Lecture on March 31st 2016. Her talk, entitled “Religion, Secular Law and Gender in Contemporary Europe and Canada”, provided a critical analysis…
On March 21st 2016, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law welcomed three distinguished speakers in the context of a discussion on the right to die with dignity. This session touched on the ethical implications of State intervention in physical persons’ lives. Each guest – an expert in bioethics, a nephrologist and a…
On March 14th 2016, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Anne Leahy in the context of its final conference of the Radical Readings series for the year 2015-2016. Commented by Me Renée Dupuis, Vice-President of the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de…
On March 14th 2016, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law had the pleasure of welcoming a special guest – Me Renée Dupuis (law, 1972) – in the context of a discussion on aboriginal law and reconciliation. A great defender of social justice, Me Dupuis is without a doubt the only lawyer in…
Professor Fournier has just come back from a week à la New York, filled with profound exchanges and dynamism. She presented four conferences at Columbia University, NYU and the United Nations respectively. She presented the 29th of February at Columbia University. Columbia’s Law School is known for the academic rigor of its law degree and…
On February 1st 2016, Professor Pascale Fournier will welcome the Honourable Rosalie Abella, Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law (Fauteux 147) to discuss the text that has most influenced her way of thinking and her own personal journey. “Literature, Law and Personal Narratives: A Conversation with Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella”…
On January 25th and February 8th, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law invites two exceptional speakers to discuss their experiences and contribution in the field of human rights defence and protection. On Monday, January 25th, Mindy Pollak will talk about her fight for a more open society and, in particular, her commitment…
On January18th 2016, the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law invites three keynote speakers to discuss the scope and the essence of people’s rights and freedoms. For Marie-Thérèse Toutant, this fight for liberty means a struggle with poverty and social marginalization. For Marc-Antoine Cloutier, it is about ensuring better access to justice through…
Alumni Day honours the University of Ottawa alumni. During Alumni week (from May 4th to May 9th 2016), several activities and events are organized to give the alumni the opportunity to get back in touch with old friends and to share their personal journey and their professional experience amongst each other and with students. For…
Professor Pascale Fournier, member of the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, had the pleasure to take part in the ceremony organized to mark the 40th anniversary of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. The ceremony took place in Montreal on December 10th, International Human Rights Day. It was a…
Organized on a regular basis between 2007 and 2011 at the University of Ottawa under the designation of « Radical Readers », the Radical Readings are now organized both in Montreal and Ottawa in collaboration with Professor Valérie Amiraux (sociology, University of Montreal) and Dean Jean-François Gaudreault-Desbiens (Law, University of Montreal.) Throughout the course of the year,…
As one of the 25 most influential lawyers in the country, Professor Pascale Fournier has been asked by the « Fagrant Délit », the Civil Law Section student newspaper, to answer questions for its “spotlight” section. The article has been published in the December Edition and it walks us through Pascale Fournier’s academic background, highlighting the elements…
For a 6th consecutive year in a row, Canadian Lawyer Magazine has published its “Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada” and Pascale Fournier features in it! Nominated in the “World Stage” Category, which celebrates the influence of Canadian lawyers on the international scene, Professor Fournier was selected for her humanitarian involvement and the large…
Professor Fournier is currently taking part in the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference ! On May 22nd 2015, participants, who were chosen nation-wide through a highly competitive process meet in St-John’s, Newfoundland : they come from various fields, from corporate environments and unions to universities or NGOs. They all share in common an inspired will…
Professor Fournier contributes to a major collective work titled “L’accommodement de la diversité religieuse“, which brings together French, Belgian and Canadian authors under the direction of Emanuelle Bribosia and Isabelle Rorive (P.L.E. Peter Lang editions). In their article “Voiles/Voiler“, Pascale Fournier and Emmanuelle Jacques tackle the delicate problematic of bans on face-covering veils. Carefully analyzing…
Pascale Fournier has been named part-time commissioner of the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) for a five-year term. She therefore joins a team of ten eminent professionals from various fields – legal, medical, social- whose respective careers all reflect a commitment to the organization’s fundamental concerns, the…
2014 is decisively a year under the sign of excellence for Pascale Fournier! Another good news can be added to the list of distinctions previously announced for the current year (Research Grant, selection by IWF, Academic excellence Award from Canadian Arab Chamber of Commerce and recognition during University of Ottawa’s ceremony for Excellence in Teaching…
Professor Fournier authors a chapter in “Penser la laïcité québécoise: Fondements et défense d’une laïcité ouverte au Québec”, a collective work published by Presses de l’Université de Laval and directed by Sébastien Lévesque. Inspired by heated debates surrounding the project for a Quebec Charter of values, this book brings together many influential voices, from various disciplines,…
Five professors from the Faculty of Law, Civil Law section were honored during the annual reception to highlight excellence in research and teaching at the University of Ottawa, which took place on November 19, 2014. The five professors are Vincent Caron, laureate of the prize for excellence 2014 in teaching, awarded by the Vice-Rector of…
Professor Fournier was chosen by the Canada Arab Chamber of Commerce (CanACC), a platform that aims at building commercial links and stimulating cultural exchanges between Canada and the Arab world, to receive a Special Achievement Award that rewards academic excellence and humanitarian contributions. The Chamber of Commerce wishes, with this distinction, to underline the impact…
Professor Fournier is publishing, this fall, an article in Droit et Société (copublication with Pascal McDougall) titled “Le droit comparé et la violence faite aux femmes : voyages au coeur de la narration identitaire” which discusses honor crimes and proposes a genealogy of the phenomenon that trumps Western perceptions of its exclusive belonging to foreign cultures. This contribution purports…
Following a highly competitive selection process, Professor Fournier was chosen by the International Women’s Forum to take part in the Fellows Program of its Leadership Foundation. She joins 36 women from 14 different countries, all of whom were selected for their leadership and significant contributions to their respective fields. The selected women will benefit from…
Pascale Fournier recently authored three chapters in different academic books, all to be published this summer. While these three contributions pertain to minority women’s religious rights, each one addresses a specific issue and discusses its underlying questions. First, she authors (in collaboration with Erica See) “The ‘Naked Face’ of Secular Exclusion: Bill-94 and the Privatization…
Pascale Fournier has been invited to join the Centre de recherche en Éthique (CRÉ) and their team of researchers as a collaborator. This renown center aims at fostering and promoting a better understanding of the field of ethics through the study of its theoretical foundations as well as through the analysis of public policies and…
The general consutations on Bill 60 started last January 14th. In the extensive media coverage of the event, professor Fournier reiterated her critics, condemning the bill’s predujicial measures and its lack of a real purpose. Prof. Fournier was interviewed by radio host Michel Picard for CBC’s Le midi trente and spoke about the bill with host Mathieu…
Professor Fournier has produced important academic contributions on the subject of the Islamic veil, much talked about in the context of the Quebec government’s Bill 60. In the fall of 2013, she has co-edited, along with Valérie Amiraux, Professor of Sociology at the Université de Montréal and Canada Research Chair in Religious Pluralism and Ethnicity, a…
In the context of the Quebec National Assembly’s consultations on Bill 60, Professor Fournier participated, this last December 20th, in the submission of the brief «60 chercheurs universitaires pour la laïcité, contre le projet de loi 60». Co-written by a group of academic researchers from various fields, and as its title indicates, co-signed by 60…
On November 20, Pascale Fournier launched her book Mariages musulmans, tribunaux d’Occident, recently published with the Presses de Sciences Po in Paris. The event was organized by the Trudeau Foundation to mark its 10th anniversary and celebrate new books by members of the community. Mr. Guy Berthiaume, Trudeau mentor and Chair and CEO of Bibliothèque…
Pascale Fournier’s new book, Mariages musulmans, tribunaux d’Occident : les transplantations juridiques et le regard du droit, was recently covered on the website of the Cégep Garneau, of which Prof. Fournier is an alumna. The book, which analyzes the reception of Muslim family law in Western courts and its impact on the welfare of women,…
Pascale Fournier was interviewed by Radio-Canada radio host Michel C. Auger on November 19th, on the impact of religious laws on judicial decisions in Canada and other Western countries. Professor Fournier was promoting her book, Mariages musulmans, tribunaux d’Occident, recently published by Sciences Po Press, Paris. This book, which will be available in Canadian bookstores…
Pascale Fournier recently published her book Mariages musulmans, tribunaux d’Occident : Les transplantations juridiques et le regard du droit with the Presses de Sciences Po (Paris). This book, published in English in 2010 by Ashgate publishing, addresses the migration of Muslim family law towards Western courts. What place must Western countries give to Muslim legal norms…
This fall, Prof. Fournier spent much time in radio stations and published several opinion letters criticizing the “Charter of Quebec Values”, a document put forward by the Quebec government which proposes inter alia the legislative ban of “ostentatious” religious symbols among all provincial public employees, including health care and education workers. In many media forums,…
In the fall of 2013, Professor Fournier has participated in several initiatives by a group of Quebec professors and intellectuals mobilized for the cause of social and religious pluralism. This group, called “Pluralists 2.0”, is made up of specialists of law, sociology, philosophy, political science and religious studies. The group was initially formed to react…
