EMILIE
NICOLAS
SPEAKER & FACILITATOR
COLUMNIST, PODCAST HOST
“Make a career of humanity.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Emilie Nicolas is a columnist with Le Devoir and The Montreal Gazette, the host of the Détours podcast on Canadaland, and a regular analyst and commentator for CBC and Radio-Canada. Emilie has been published in several journals, magazines and newspapers, both in French and English. Most recently, she won the Quebec’s cultural magazine (SODEP) 2020 Excellence Award for Best Essay, for a piece in the Liberté magazine.
Emilie has contributed to various organizations in Canada and internationally. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, a crown corporation dedicated to the elimination of racism, and Informed Opinions, a non-profit organization working towards more gender equality in Canadian media.
An active bridge-builder, Emilie is a co-founder of Québec inclusif (2013), a movement that united citizens against racism and social exclusion. She also initiated a coalition campaigning for equality and against systemic racism in Quebec (2016).
Emilie is the recipient of a Harry Jerome Award for leadership along with a Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. She completed the Action Canada Fellowship (2015) as well as the Jeanne Sauvé Public Leadership Fellowship (2019).
CONFERENCES:
All of Emilie's conferences are built from scratch, tailored to your needs: equity, human rights, international cooperation, Quebec-Canada relations, language, racism, gender or public policy issues.
Examples of the most recent conferences:
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UNDERSTANDING THE PRESENT, ANTICIPATING THE FUTURE : DECODING POLITICS AND THE CANADIAN ECONOMY
SHORT TERM | DECODING THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AND UNDERSTANDING THE RULES OF THE GAME
Do you need to decode the current political landscape, understand the new rules of the game, and assess their impact on your ambitions ?
Emilie Nicolas analyzes Canadian, American, and international news, providing you with the necessary tools to anticipate upcoming political and economic developments.
MID-TERM | THE FUTURE OF THE CANADIAN ECONOMY
Beyond the United States - whether tariffs are imposed or not - it is now evident that Canada can no longer rely on the U.S. as a stable political and economic partner. This realization marks a profound paradigm shift... one that is existential for Canada.
How can Canada adapt to a world emerging beyond U.S. dominance? What new horizons, opportunities, and possibilities lie ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape?
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FIGHT TOGETHER AGAINST RACISM IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
In a professional world where discrimination persists, Emilie Nicolas directly addresses the fight against racism in the workplace. She offers a striking analysis of discriminatory mechanisms and provides concrete solutions to build a truly inclusive work environment. Participants will discover effective strategies to identify, prevent, and combat racial discrimination in their daily work lives. More than just raising awareness, this transformative conference provides the keys to becoming agents of change and contributing to the emergence of an equitable corporate culture.
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PAY EQUITY: THE CHALLENGES OF THE NEXT GENERATION
Explores contemporary challenges of pay equity and its impact on the new generation of workers. Emilie examines how societal, technological, and economic changes influence pay gaps. Participants will discover innovative strategies to promote pay transparency, identify systemic biases, and implement equitable compensation policies. An essential reflection for organizations that wish to attract and retain tomorrow's talent while building a fairer and more equitable professional future.
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THE IMAGE OF QUEBEC IN CANADA: BEYOND STEREOTYPES
Stereotypes between Quebec and Canada have long shaped our mutual perceptions. This conference offers a critical reflection on our prejudices and preconceptions. By exploring myths, cultural realities, and historical tensions, discover how these perceptions influence daily interactions and understanding of one another. More than just deconstructing stereotypes, this presentation paves the way for renewed and authentic dialogue between communities.
A unique opportunity to rethink our vision of Quebec within Canada, and to build together a more nuanced, respectful narrative anchored in contemporary reality.
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WHAT PLACE FOR BILINGUALISM IN REFLECTIONS ON EQUITY?
Bilingualism plays a central role in discussions about equity, particularly in contexts where languages are a determining factor in access to information, opportunities, and participation. Emilie explores the role of bilingualism in inclusion and equity strategies, focusing on the challenges and benefits of communicating in two (or more) languages. This presentation highlights the importance of a truly inclusive bilingual environment and the necessary actions to reduce language barriers while promoting equity for all.
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"TIME TO THINK": A Series Where Émilie Interviews Experts or Authors on Topics Blending Philosophy, Current Events, and Culture (Mixing Literature and Politics).
ANIMATION:
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TOPICS: Equity, human rights, international cooperation, Francophonie and language policies, Quebec-Canada relations, racism, gender and public policy issues
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FORMATS: Panels, interviews, podcasts or Master of Ceremonies
LANGUAGES :
LOCATION : MONTREAL, CAN
PUBLICATIONS:
Emilie Nicolas: militer pour que chacun ait sa place
Cofondatrice de Québec inclusif, un mouvement qui s’efforce d’unir les citoyens de la province contre le racisme et l’exclusion sociale, Emilie Nicolas milite pour une société plus ouverte et plus inclusive depuis une bonne douzaine d’années. À l’invitation d’Oxfam-Québec, elle offrira tout le mois de novembre une conférence gratuite dans les cégeps et universités de la province pour sensibiliser les jeunes à l’enjeu de la parité dans les lieux décisionnels.
New St. Michael’s Course Examines Media’s Relationship to #BlackLivesMatter
In the aftermath of the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman, the man responsible for the death of Black teenager Trayvon Martin, a hashtag began to circulate on Twitter: #BlackLivesMatter. In the years that followed, the hashtag has transformed from a rallying cry in response to police violence against Black people to a powerful movement for racial justice and equality around the world.
Governor General Award-winning student advances women's rights in Quebec
We spoke with Nicolas about her activism work.