A little bit about me…

I am fascinated by people. I have been all of my life. The complexity of choices we make; the simplicity of our drives; the ability to adapt and be so resilient. It all makes for such an interesting diversity.

I will start by declaring that I was born with all the privileges but the ones of gender and language.

Where I am from…

I was born just outside of Montreal and was raised speaking French. When I was quite young, we moved to Morocco, where my dad taught sciences. I went from a world where I was free to be – to a world where children were to be seen, not heard. I am not sure I quite fit in!

After a failed coup attempt to assassinate King Hassan (not by me – I was only 6!), we moved back to a Quebec that was dealing with the aftermath of October crisis! I still recall the first time I saw a snowplow. I thought I was faced by a tank, like those I had seen while I was in Morocco!

In addition to a new brother, the other thing I brought from Morocco was a strong accent (Morocco having been colonized by France)! I was made fun of, for being different, and I learned to adapt. So, if I talk to you and take your accent, you will know where it comes from.

Where I studied…

I went to an all girls high school. Despite it all, or maybe because of it all, I started to appreciate being different. By the time I was in college, I learned that being different made me a stronger leader.

At 18, although there were renowned universities in Quebec, I decided to study at Glendon College, a beautiful bilingual campus of York University, Toronto. I fell in love with its old mansion and rose garden. In addition to learning English, I graduated with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Women’s Studies. Since each language carries its own values and prejudices,  I also learned more about its people and culture.

The next important choice I had to face was about what and where to study next: Education (Ottawa) or Psychology (Montréal). After choosing the latter, I completed my Master at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).

Learning about life…

Until now in my life, I had been exposed to different cultures and languages. The first time I truly understood how privileged I was occured with my first job, in Neguac, New Brunswick (Population 1500). I had been hired to work with teenagers who had been identified as potential school dropouts. In addition to learning yet another melody to the French language (Acadien), I learned about a different life reality. This richness was further expanded by my being introduced to indigenous culture, beliefs, and spirituality. and, just in case you wondered, I can proudly report that all of those kids, and a few others, found their purpose and completed school that year!

As I mentioned, I believe that people are fascinating in themselves, being more than a body and a mind. Their heart and soul are what keep me coming back and have helped me grow as a cis-woman, a partner, a mother, a friend, an ally, and as a therapist and coach.

Work experience…

For those who want more specific details on my work experience, you can find those under the various drop-down menus, depending on your interest or curiosity (experience in Counselling, as a Registered Psychologist; Coaching; or in Leadership and Facilitator Experience – under About Section). In summary, I have worked in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia.

Involvement in my community…

You can also find details on my community involvement in the Leadership Experience – under About section. It reflects the issues close to my heart, including arts and culture, education, immigration, health, rights and interests of women, as well as marginalized groups.

I have lived, for decades, in places where French is the language of the minority – and I continue to fight for the language and its cultures so we preserve its richness.

Other things about Marie-France that might interest you…

I am married (second time was the charm!) and mother to two young adults. 

Being creative, may it be through singing, painting, sewing, or crafting, feeds my soul. I wish I was more physical, but I do try to move daily! I love to dance, any dance!

So far, I speak fluently in French and in English. I can also be understood in Spanish and Croatian. By learning new languages, I discover new cultures and it allows me to connect with more people!