There is no registration cost or registration link.

We invite all participants to help create a safe and respectful environment for everyone. This means honouring diverse perspectives and upholding GAATW Canada’s non-discrimination principle:

We do not discriminate on any grounds, including race, ethnicity, descent, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, immigration status, birth or other status, or occupation—such as work in informal sectors like sex work, among others.

When we meet in person, we’ll have the opportunity to build on this and share additional ideas for creating a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming space for everyone.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact GAATW Canada's National Director, Alison Clancey, at director@gaatw.ca or 250 353 8353.

Social & Dinner (optional) - Wednesday, October 28 and Thursday, October 29 

Wednesday dinner

Alison will host a group dinner at a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel on Wednesday for anyone who would like to join, including the Montreal-based attendees. During the lunch break, Alison will check interest and confirm the number of people for dinner.

We will meet in the hotel lobby at 6:00 p.m. and walk together to the restaurant. GAATW Canada will cover the cost of dinner; participants are responsible for alcoholic beverages.

Wednesday's restaurant: TBD

Thursday social

Here are some suggestions for Thursday evening if people would like to go as a group or on their own.

Montréal’s famed Underground City, a maze of shops, museums, attractions and more located right under the streets of downtown Montréal.

The Old Port is filled with unique activities and viewpoints.

McCord Stewart Museum is open until 9:00 p.m. (10-minute walk from the hotel). The permanent exhibition, Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience, could be particularly interesting. There are also usually other exhibitions on, so it’s worth checking out what’s showing.

Place des Arts and the Quartier des Spectacles are lively. The giant Ring sculpture is nearby and makes for a good photo stop.

Chinatown is also about a 15-minute walk from the hotel and is worth exploring.

For more information about these places, please visit the Tourisme Montréal website.

Meetings are scheduled 9:00-4:30 on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9:00-12:00 on Friday in the Ernest Cormier Meeting Room. We’re happy to have Lisa Gibson join us again to facilitate the meeting.

More details to follow. 

We will meet and stay at the same hotel, Le Square Phillips Hotel & Suites in downtown Montreal. 

Complimentary Amenities

• Continental buffet breakfast
• Rooftop pool
• 24-hour fitness center

See the hotel's other amenities here. 

Check-in: Tuesday, October 27
Check-out: Friday, October 30

Luggage storage can be arranged on both arrival and departure dates. Your room will have one king bed.

GAATW Canada will reserve and pay for your room.

Everyone is responsible for their incidental charges. When you check in, the hotel will ask for a credit card number to cover incidentals. If this presents an issue, please let Alison know before arriving.

Location

Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites is located at 1193 Place Phillips in downtown Montreal. It sits just steps away from Sainte-Catherine Street, the Underground City, and the Place des Festivals. It is also within walking distance of the Notre-Dame Basilica, McGill University, and Old Montreal.

Transit 

The hotel is close to McGill and Square-Victoria-OACI metro stations, as well as Montreal Central Station.

The hotel is about 18 km from the airport. Transit time can be a minimum of 1 hour, depending on the time of day. It is recommended to take public transportation due to traffic.

Bus

To get from YUL Airport to Square Phillips Hotel, take the 747-1 Centre-Ville (Downtown) bus. It provides a direct route with no transfers required, dropping you off just a short walk away.

 Step-by-Step Route

1. Board the Bus: Catch the 747-1 bus at the airport arrival level (near door 28).
2. Exit the Bus: Get off at the René-Lévesque / Union stop.
3. Walk to the Square: Walk east on René-Lévesque Blvd toward Union Ave, turn left onto Union Ave, and walk about 3 minutes north. Square Phillips will be right in front of you.

Metro

If downtown traffic is severe, you can save time by using the metro system.

• Take the 747-2 bus directly to Lionel-Groulx station (about 20–25 minutes).
• Transfer to the Green Metro Line heading east (towards Honoré-Beaugrand).
• Exit at McGill station, which is a 4-minute walk north of Square Phillips.

Both Uber and Lyft operate in Montreal.

The hotel is partially accessible and wheelchair-friendly, though it may have some limitations due to being housed in a historic, restored building. It features elevators, accessible public areas, and accessible parking options.

Accessibility Details

Common Areas: The property features an elevator, accessible routes through the lobby, and accessible on-site parking.

Guest Rooms: Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available, but they may have specific physical layout limitations depending on the historic structural design of the Ernest Cormier building.

Facilities: The indoor pool and rooftop deck have step or ladder access points that might pose challenges for guests with severe mobility impairments.

If you require specific accommodations to make your stay more comfortable, please contact Alison as soon as possible at director@gaatw.ca. Please do not wait until we arrive in Montreal.

Please email Alison any food allergies or dietary needs you have by October 15.

GAATW Canada will cover all your travel expenses, including per diem, flights to Montreal, hotel parking, airport parking, and/or ground transportation to and from the airport (public or private).

Flight

Arrival: Tuesday, October 27 (check-in is 4 pm/rooms may be available earlier)
Departure: Friday, October 30 (check-out is 11 am)

Since October is approaching quickly, we need to book flights as soon as possible if you have not done so already. Booking early will ensure you have more travel options.

Note: GAATW Canada will cover your flight if you choose to arrive a few days early or stay a few days longer. However, GAATW Canada will only cover accommodation and other expenses from Tuesday to Friday (or your travel days if they are not Tuesday and Friday).

There are two options to reserve your flights:

1. You reserve and are reimbursed.
   • Submit all expenses upon returning home after the meeting. GAATW Canada will reimburse your expenses within two weeks of receipt.
2. GAATW Canada reserves and pays.
   • Call or email your flight choices to Alison, with your legal name, birthdate, telephone number, gender, and seat preference (aisle or window). Flights should depart after 3 p.m. on Friday, October 30 to be on the safe side.

Other travel expenses

GAATW Canada will reimburse all other travel expenses that have a receipt. These include airport parking, hotel parking, public transportation tickets, and taxi receipts.

For mileage in your vehicle, please use the 2026 CRA mileage rate (73 cents per km) and attach a Google Maps screenshot of the distance travelled from your home to the airport with your expense form.

IMPORTANT: Please ensure you have receipts for all travel expenses. These can be paper receipts, photos, or scanned PDFs of the itemized receipts. Unfortunately, we cannot reimburse you without a receipt.  

Please submit all your receipts and this expense form once you return home.

Don't hesitate to contact Alison at director@gaatw.ca if you have questions about travel or expense reimbursement.

Meals and Refreshments

Breakfast (Wednesday-Friday): The hotel serves a complimentary continental breakfast.

Lunch (Wednesday and Thursday): In the meeting room at noon.

AM & PM snack breaks: In the meeting room mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Dietary Restrictions
Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs can be accommodated if communicated to Alison by October 15. 

Dinner Wednesday evening (optional)

Alison will host a group dinner on Wednesday evening for anyone who would like to join. Restaurant TBD.

For other dinners during your travel and the meeting, please submit your receipt with your expenses.

Travel Days (Out-of-Town Guests Only)

Out-of-town guests may claim a per diem of up to $109.45 per day on travel days, or within the following reasonable limits for individual meals:

• Breakfast: $24.35
• Lunch: $24.65
• Dinner: $60.45

We will reimburse you for the total amount claimed, provided you submit itemized receipts. These can be paper copies, clear photos, or PDFs. 

If attending this meeting is not part of your organization’s work and/or you are struggling with funding, GAATW Canada can provide a $500 honorarium for your attendance (one per organization).

If you have any questions about eligibility or would like to arrange your honorarium, please contact Alison at director@gaatw.ca before October 20.

The following individuals and organizations will attend:

Arlene Hache

SWAN Vancouver (BC)

Sex Workers of Winnipeg Action Coalition (MB)

Red Response (MB)

Collaborative Community Solutions (ON)

FCJ Refugee Centre (ON)

Association for the Rights of Household and Farm Workers (QC)

Disarm the Dark (QC)

Safe Harbour Outreach Project (NL)

Please note that a second person from your organization can attend provided your organization pays for their travel, accommodation and other expenses. GAATW Canada can cover their meals on meeting days. If a second person from your organization would like to attend, please let Alison know by September 30.

For information about the city, please visit the Tourisme Montréal website.