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Public Record
2008 McGill Institute for the Study of Canada Conference (Part 1 of 5)
Annual conference hosted by the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, Montreal, Que., February 14, 2008. The 2008 conference is entitled “Are We American?” This conference session focuses on conceptions of North American national identity and cultural expression in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Kenneth Whyte (publisher and editor-in-chief for Maclean’s magazine) makes opening remarks and introduces a panel of speakers. Andrew Cohen (associate professor at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication) explores the increasing similarities between Canada and the United States and the pervasiveness of national pride. Jian Ghomeshi (CBC Radio and Television broadcaster) speaks about Canada’s vibrant arts and culture sector and his conception of Canadian identity. Anaí López (Mexican screenwriter) discusses the Mexican television and film industry, emphasizing the industry’s struggle to become self-sufficient. Émile Martel (president of the Quebec Centre branch of Poets, Essayists and Novelists (PEN) International) suggests that identity labels such as “American” or “Quebecois” can help nurture distinct identities. Following the speeches, panellists field questions from audience members.