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© ACPQ 2006
The Association des chercheurs(es) professionnels(les)
du Québec (ACPQ) is a non-union, non-profit organization, representing
professional researchers who practice their profession in Quebec. ACPQ was launched in April 2003 and, officially incorporated
in March 2004. The creation of the association affirmed the needs
expressed by participants in two (2), widely circulated, e-ballots
held in February of 2003, and is the fulfillment of a commitment
made to those participants, the majority of whom called for the
creation of a professional association. The association was created in response to needs of both, social
and professional, natures:
“Social”, in the sense that society provides the
resources to allow us to practice our profession; therefore,
we, in turn, must reciprocate and act as leading contributors
and reference in the new, knowledge-based, environment. Without
the active and direct contribution of the professional researcher,
the populace would be deprived of its most, and often, only,
credible and knowledgeable source of information.
“Professional”, in the sense that, for researchers
to face the global challenge; conditions that currently, prevail
in Quebec, are such, that they may be putting our profession
at risk.
Thus, there is currently no forum providing researchers with:
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the opportunity to review and assess their situation;
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the opportunity to develop ways and means of improving their working conditions;
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the ability to review decision-making dynamics: top-down vs bottom-up;
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the ability to adapt and strengthen resources to face an ever more complex and more competitive professional activity;
And last, but not least, ACPQ recognized the lack of representation
and the need to promote and develop the profession. ACPQ will
fill this void and act as an interlocutor conveying and explaining
members’ concerns, needs and claims to the stakeholders
and decision-makers at the various levels.
These challenges called for an intervention strategy: hence, the founding of ACPQ.
FOR A PROFESSION IN NEED
OF IDENTITY, RECOGNITION AND REPRESENTATION!
I- Role of professional associations:
Professional researchers need representation. To explore this premise, the
medical profession is a good example, as it relates to the reality of our profession.
How these health professionals, in their wisdom, discovered the need to band
together and create associations is worth a moment of reflection. This subset
of professional associations and others like it, act in many capacities, including:
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being a forum for review and discussion on issues,
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as an instrument and tool for promotion and change,
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for protecting the rights and privileges of members of the profession
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and, finally, acting as a buffer to alleviate the detrimental effects of instability such as
recurrent periods of budgetary cuts, etc..
Everyone wants to have his/her voice heard. But, how can one be heard
without a "microphone"? It is essential for us to take the example of
those who have already developed strong associations, in particular, those
other liberal professions competing for funds taken from the public treasury.
How to compete and win its fair share in the funding contest, on a leveled
playing field and with matching strength, in an "arena" where
a growing number of lobbies grapple for “their share” of the
public purse? Further, how to assure, on the basis of a perennial incapacity
of public funds to meet society’s needs, that our profession is
to obtain the resources needed to meet its social
and professional responsibilities?
II- Role of the ACPQ:
The ACPQ has set its immediate goals on developing
this novel profession. ACPQ fills the void created by the lack of representation
and acts as an interlocutor conveying and explaining members’ concerns, needs
and claims to the stakeholders and decision-makers at the various levels
In short, the action of your professional association
is dedicated to:
ACPQ is a non-profit association that will devote its efforts to
the creation, establishment, and integration of a new professional category
called the professional researcher in the province of Quebec. ACPQ will
ensure the recognition of the profession and will act in the protection
of the socioeconomic and professional interests of its members through
a series of objectives covering three main areas :
i- REPRESENTATION – To bring to all forums, their knowledge of the
facts and expert opinions on matters affecting them and/or their work through
active participation in all venues of discussion and interaction. This representation
will be felt in areas of basic research and related fields;
ii- SOCIAL CONTRACT – To give the professional researcher the resources
and means required to carry out its social mission, primarily in public
service, such as protection of public health and advancement of public education;
iii- PURSUING CLAIMS AND NEEDS – To urge institutions, granting agencies
and other governmental bodies to provide adequate conditions in order for
professional researchers to compete on an equal footing with those whose
work is used as standards for assessing productivity. To secure the future
of the profession, ACPQ will create an appealing professional blueprint
and pursue claims and needs to reduce “defections” and entice
students of talent who would, otherwise, contemplate an alternative career.
i- To PROMOTE the professional researcher in all fields of research,
in all of Quebec institutions of higher learning;
ii- To ESTABLISH a collaboration with organizations in order to pursue
the goals of ACPQ’s mission through synergy of action, influence and
impact.
iii- To NEGOTIATE, COME TO TERMS WITH, FINALIZE and EXECUTE every possible
agreement that would serve the higher interest of the profession and the
general interest of its members;
iv- To SUPPORT its members, within the available means and resources of
the association, be it in its capacity as agent, deputy (representative),
supplier of property or leasing its services, in sharing or otherwise, any
possessions and services to serve the interests of its members;
v- To PROMOTE and PROTECT any and all of the profession that is in the
interest of its members;
vi- To ORGANIZE subscription campaigns and fundraising events,
seek sponsorship support, raise capital funding, solicit donations
and submit grant applications with the aim of securing funds
for the purposes pursued by the Association.
ACPQ as pioneer
“Quebec researchers now have their own lobby group to fight for
their rights. The Association des chercheurs professionels du Québec
(ACPQ), the first association of its kind in Canada, was officially born
last April. ” (McGill Register, May 27, 2004)
The professional researcher has lived in a void in this province, without
recognition or support for the valuable contribution that this profession
brings (lends) to the fundamentals of daily living. ACPQ has been founded
with a goal of correcting this situation.
Why create our own?
Creating and developing a professional association will serve a number
of purposes, including :
1. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION – through clear guidelines
and criteria that will identify and characterize the important
role of the professional
researcher.
2. MANAGING GLOBAL COMPETITION – through access to resources and
participation in the development of the profession with the objective of
competing on an equal footing in the current and future global environment.
3. CORRECTING WIDESPREAD INEQUITIES AND DEFICIENCIES – through identification
of problems facing a researcher, finding the root causes and developing
effective solutions.
ACPQ has already, activated its action plan by creating this
professional association and a novel profession for researchers. Other
elements of this action plan will flow from basic needs of the professional
researcher so that he/she can successfully manage the challenges of current
times.
Executive
The Executive Board of Association des chercheurs(es) professionnels(les)
du Québec is comprised of the administrators and founders of the
non-profit organization.
President - Founder and administrator
Claude Côté, Ph. D.
ACPQ C.P. 1111, Succ. B
Montréal, Qc, H3B 3K9
E-mail: 
Vice-president - Founder and administrator
Edward C Bradley, Ph. D.
Pavillon J.A. de Sève
Hôpital Notre-Dame
1560 Sherbrooke est
Montréal, Qc H2L 4M1
E-mail: 
Treasurer - Founder and administrator
Michel J. Tremblay, Ph. D.
Research Center in Infectious Diseases, RC709
CHUL Research Center (CHUQ)
2705 Laurier Boulevard
Quebec (QC), G1V 4G2
E-mail: 
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