Dialogue McGill Conferences
2026 Conference
Growing Capacity and Retaining Talent in Health and Social Services
Dialogue McGill hosts an annual conference with the aim of discussing key topics on access to health and social services for official language minority communities.
The 2026 conference brought together interdisciplinary experts to explore strategies for growing capacity and retaining talent in the health and social services sector, with a focus on strengthening workforce sustainability and improving access to care in Quebec.
When: February 3 & 4, 2026 (9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. & 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Where: 900 René-Lévesque Blvd W, Montreal, Quebec (Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel)
Summary
Various speakers presented on best practices and emerging strategies to grow capacity and retain talent in health and social services, with a focus on strengthening access for official language minority communities. Their insightful presentations sparked engaging discussions with audience members who joined us from across Québec and other regions of Canada. We were pleased to welcome over 150 attendees, including representatives from Health Canada, MSSS, the Secrétariat général en santé et services sociaux, health and social services institutions, community networks, educational institutions, and many others, all contributing to advancing sustainable workforce solutions in the sector.
Day 1
Keynote
Dr. Margot Burnell, President, Canadian Medical Association (CMA)
From pressure to possibility: Building a workforce that delivers better care, together
The conference opened with a keynote address by Dr. Margot Burnell, President of the Canadian Medical Association, who explored the theme “From pressure to possibility: Building a workforce that delivers better care, together.” Drawing on national perspectives, Dr. Burnell highlighted the urgent need to strengthen and support the health workforce while fostering collaborative, sustainable solutions. Her address set the tone for the conference by emphasizing innovation, resilience, and collective action in addressing workforce challenges.
Discussion Panel - Recruitment and retention of bilingual professionals in the public sector
The discussion panel focused on the recruitment and retention of bilingual professionals in the public sector, bringing together leading voices from academia, research, and community health. Moderated by Dr. Jean Robert, Member of the Order of Canada, the panel featured Lynne McVey, Associate Dean and Director of the Ingram School of Nursing at McGill University, Dr. Charles Godbout, Research Manager at the National Health Training Consortium (CNFS), and Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director of the Community Health & Social Services Network (CHSSN). Together, they explored key challenges and practical strategies to strengthen the bilingual health workforce, emphasizing collaboration between institutions, targeted training initiatives, and community-driven approaches to improve recruitment and long-term retention in Canada’s public health and social services sectors.
Dr. Anne Leis, Professor, Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan
It takes a village: Addressing the health services needs of official language minority communities (OLMCs) in a challenging context
Dr. Anne Leis delivered an engaging presentation, her talk emphasized the importance of collaboration between communities, institutions, and healthcare providers in improving access to services for language minority populations. Drawing on research and community-based approaches, she highlighted the collective effort required to build more inclusive and responsive health systems.
Day 2
Dr. Michel Racine, Professor, Director of Undergraduate Programs, Laval University
The role of the community in the organizational capacity of health personnel in minority language settings
Dr. Michel Racine presented, his presentation highlighted how strong community engagement and partnerships can support healthcare professionals and strengthen service delivery in official language minority communities. Drawing on research and practical examples, he emphasized the importance of collaborative approaches in building sustainable and responsive health systems.
Symposium: Quebec-based initiatives to increase capacity and retain talent in the public health care sector
The symposium, moderated by Chad Walcott, Director of Public Affairs at the Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT), brought together a distinguished group of speakers to discuss Quebec-based initiatives aimed at increasing capacity and retaining talent in the public healthcare sector. Presentations were delivered by David Fortier, Program Manager, Recruitment and Retention of Health Professionals Program, Dialogue McGill, Dr. Jean Robert, Member of the Order of Canada, and Caroline Storr from McGill University’s School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, each offering unique perspectives on workforce development, recruitment strategies, and sustainable solutions for strengthening health and social services. Together, the symposium fostered meaningful dialogue on collaborative approaches to supporting healthcare professionals and improving access to services across communities.
Objectives
The objective of the conference was to bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, educators, and community organizations to examine current challenges and opportunities related to growing capacity and retaining talent in health and social services. Through interdisciplinary discussions and knowledge sharing, the conference aimed to promote innovative and sustainable strategies that strengthen the workforce while improving access to quality services for official language minority communities. The event also sought to encourage collaboration across sectors and regions to support long-term improvements in healthcare delivery.
2023 (Virtual) Conference
Situating mental health within healthcare reforms: Access and language matter
Dialogue McGill hosts an annual conference with the aim of discussing key topics on access to health and social services for official language minority communities.
The 2023 conference hosted interdisciplinary experts to share and discuss mental health needs in Quebec at an age of healthcare reforms.
When: September 20 & 21, 2023 (9:00-12:30)
Where: virtual (Zoom)
Contact us for information regarding our future events and for any collaboration opportunities: research.dialoguemcgill@mcgill.ca
Summary
Local and international speakers presented on the best practices and the latest evidence in access to health and social services for language minorities, with a focus on mental health. Their wonderful presentations stimulated conversations with our audience members who joined us from many regions in Québec and parts of Canada. We were thrilled to have over 150 unique attendees including members from Health Canada, MSSS, Secrétariat général santé et services sociaux, Health and Social Services Institutions, Community Networks, Educational Institutions, and many others join us in addressing these substantive issues.
Day 1
Roundtable: Perspectives on Health Care Reforms In Quebec
The first day opened with a captivating roundtable to discuss perspectives on health care reforms in Quebec. We welcomed James Carter, Program and Policy Advisor at CHSSN who was interviewed by Richard Silver to discuss the reforms and legislative changes to the health and social services in Quebec. Professor Marie-Josée Fleury, McGill University followed with her talk on the accessibility of health and social services in Quebec. Panelists participated in a live discussion with Carmen G. Loiselle, Director and Principal Investigator at Dialogue McGill.
Keynote
Dr. Christine Grou, Psychologist and President, Ordre des psychologues du Québec
Mental Health Needs: Issues and Challenges
Symposium: Mental Health and Language Barriers
The first day closed with a symposium, moderated by Andrew G. Ryder, Chair and Professor of Psychology, Concordia University, to discuss language barriers in the context of mental health. We welcomed Jan Warnke, Director of JWCOMM, to present on improving access to mental health services and suicide prevention. His talk was followed by Amy Bilodeau, Program Manager for Youth and Mental Health at CHSSN who introduced the Community Health and Social Service Network (CHSSN) and their projects. The symposium was closed with Professor Yvan Leanza, Laval University, who presented research in moving to remote interpretation with the help of training.
Day 2
The second day opened with Janet Cleveland, SHERPA University Institute, who gave a keynote address on access to mental health and psychosocial services for asylum seekers, resettled refugees, and uninsured migrants in Québec
Keynote
Janet Cleveland, PhD, SHERPA University Institute
Access to mental health and psychosocial services for asylum seekers, resettled refugees, and uninsured migrants in Québec
Presentation: WHO's scalable self-help and digital psychological interventions
The keynote was followed by a presentation from Dr. Ken Carswell, Department of Mental Health & Substance Use, WHO, Geneva who presented on the World Health Organization’s scalable self-help and digital psychological interventions.
Symposium: Building capacity of bilingual professionals: Recruitment, retention, and language training strategies
To close the conference, we hosted a final symposium, moderated by Celine Cooper, Managing Director, The Consortium of English-language CEGEPs, Colleges and Universities of Quebec. The aim of the symposium was to discuss the challengers and facilitators to building capacity of bilingual professionals in Quebec. Jean-Philippe Ferland, Director of Human Resources and Legal Affairs, CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’île-de-Montréal, presented a portrait of the challenges in the recruitment and retention of bilingual mental health professionals. Jean Robert, Senior Advisor at Dialogue McGill, discussed the challenges facing anglophone CEGEPS as they prepare health and social service students to serve our communities. Ariel Mercado, Coordinator and French Professor, French Language Center, McGill University, closed the symposium presentations by discussing the second language training needs and strategies for mental health professionals.
Objectives
Through it’s research mandate, Dialogue McGill aims to understand the key factors that facilitate or impede access to health and social services for Quebec’s official language minority communities (OLMC’s).
Our main objectives are to support, consolidate, and expand a growing body of original and interdisciplinary research on the equity and quality of healthcare access for linguistic minorities. The long-term objectives of these initiatives are to understand the ways in which access to health and social services by English speaking Quebecers may be limited, develop strategies so that identified barriers may be overcome or reduced, and Increase dissemination and uptake of related knowledge, strategies, and best practices.
To meet these objectives, Dialogue McGill hosts an annual conference to help improve the access and delivery of health and social services by sharing new knowledge, innovative ideas, and strengthen sustainable initiatives
2021 (Virtual) Conference
Addressing access to health care and social services for language minorities: Best practices and latest evidence
When: December 14 & 15, 2021 (virtual), Montréal, Québec
The full conference can be viewed here: Day 1 | Day 2
Summary
Local and international speakers presented on the best practices and the latest evidence in access to health and social services for language minorities. Their wonderful presentations stimulated conversations with our audience members who joined us from many regions in Québec and parts of Canada. We were thrilled to have over 150 unique attendees including members from Health Canada, MSSS, Secrétariat général santé et services sociaux, Health and Social Services Institutions, Community Networks, Educational Institutions, and many others join us in addressing these substantive issues.
Day 1
Day one of the conference can be viewed on our YouTube page by clicking here.
Day one took a broader approach to issues in access to health care and social services for language minorities. International and local speakers presented evidence-based findings in the field, and Dialogue McGill hosted a symposium to introduce initiatives in Dialogue McGill’s Recruitment and Retention Program.
Keynote Speakers:
Frederica Nvqvist, PhD, Åbo Akademi University, Finland
Being small and outnumbered: A focus on official language minorities
Sarah Bowen, PhD, Applied Research and Evaluation Consultant, Nova Scotia
Access, quality, safety, equity: Evidence of impact of language barriers on health and health care
Day 2
Day two of the conference can be viewed on our YouTube page by clicking here. Please note that the poster presentations were not recorded.
The presentations on day two focused on adapting to local issues. Quebec-based speakers and researchers spoke on substantive issues of access to health care and social services. English-speaking networks in Quebec held a symposium presenting local initiatives and Dialogue McGill presented on its future directions. A poster session was held to present innovative research in the field.
Keynote Speakers:
Eva Villalba, MBA, MSc, Executive Director, Quebec Cancer Coalition
Value-based and advocacy approaches to improving access in health & social services
Richard Koestner, PhD, Department of Psychology, McGill University
How self-determination theory can help us provide better health care to individuals, families and communities: Understanding the benefits of collaborative autonomy
Poster presentations
Student researchers presented innovative projects related to health care and social services access for language minorities.
Congratulations to J. Davids and B. Lafrenière on winning the best poster presentation award for their poster titled The Benefits of Autonomy Support for the Healthcare Needs of Black Language Minorities in Quebec.
The posters can be viewed in PDF format here.
2018 Conference
Language and Health – Ethical and Policy Issues (with special focus on measurement and measurability)
When: September 6-7, 2018
Where: Hôtel de l'ITHQ, 3535 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, Qc
For almost a decade, Dialogue McGill, thanks to a financial contribution from Health Canada, has been funding important and innovative research on language and the provision of health and social services for Official Language Minority Communities.
Dialogue McGill invited submissions for its 2018 annual conference on ethical and policy issues in language and healthcare. Language and health are interrelated in myriad ways, ranging from issues of physical and mental healthcare provision in multilingual societies, to health literacy and communication among patients, practitioners and policymakers, and to discourses of health and wellbeing. In keeping with the strong interdisciplinary nature of Dialogue McGill’s community of researchers, the conference welcomed submissions which brought together theories, frameworks, concepts and methods from a broad range of disciplines in the medical sciences, social sciences and the humanities. Similarly, it invited submissions that address the significant ethical and policy issues at the interface of public health and language (including sign language) policy, broadly interpreted.
Plenary speakers:
Mark Fettes (Education, Simon Fraser University)
Eran Tal (Philosophy, McGill)
One of the two days of the conference was dedicated specifically to the topic of measurement and measurability in the context of language and health. The topic is broadly construed, and eligible papers could consider it from a variety of theoretical, conceptual and methodological perspectives.
Relevant papers explored, for example, the utility and limits of quantitative and qualitative approaches to healthcare; objective and subjective measurement of well-being; global health and traditional knowledge; and policy implications of health measurement. The list is suggestive rather than exhaustive, and Dialogue McGill welcomed papers that explored any pertinent issues relating to the topic.
The primary language of the conference was English, but English-French and English-ASL interpretation was provided if and as required.
The deadline for submissions was April 8, 2018.