Quebec launches a pilot project
for access to mediation
The Legault government announced on Monday the creation of a new "youth protection mediation service" in Quebec, which will take the form of a pilot project for the moment, in the wake of the recommendations of the Laurent report.
"This project constitutes the implementation of a recommendation formulated in the report of the Special Commission on the Rights of Children and Youth Protection, namely that of promoting a new path by introducing a youth protection mediation service. independent, free and fast ”, indicates the office of the Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, in a press release.
According to the authorities, youth protection mediation "will be a new possible avenue before going to court", which will "prevent children from experiencing the sometimes negative repercussions of the traditional judicial process".
The government wants to recognize families "a central role in the intervention plan by ensuring them to express themselves and participate in the decision-making process". "This new mediation service is thus likely to promote better intervention
in the protection of young people", it is said.
“It is an approach that promotes the mobilization of parents in order to identify possible solutions to better meet the needs of children. It constitutes a non-judicial avenue deployed in the primary interests of the child. This pilot project will promote the exploration of a new avenue in order to better protect our children, ”said Mr. Jolin-Barrette on Monday.
Gradual deployment
More concretely, this offer of “mediation” will be placed just after the offer of agreement on voluntary measures when this one is refused or cannot be concluded. At this stage, the attorneys of the Director of Youth Protection (DYP) will determine the cases that could go to mediation, and the parties will then be informed. If the parties agree, the case will be sent to mediation and the parties will be summoned.
It should also be noted that this new service, supported by the Barreau du Québec, will be offered free of charge for a maximum of five hours. It will be gradually established in the judicial district of Quebec; deployment to other judicial districts during the year 2022 is planned, but will be announced at a later date. It is not known which other municipalities will be targeted at this time.
Finally, the accredited mediators in family matters who will participate in the project must have experience and knowledge in the field of youth protection, indicates the government. “Specialized training” will also be developed by
the authorities, and required to participate in the program.
The report of the Special Commission on the Rights of Children and Youth Protection - also known as the Laurent Report - was tabled in May 2021. The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, s' was then committed to initiating, as of this fall, a "in-depth reform" of the Youth Protection Act. “When I say reform, it is not trivial. It is in depth that we must review the law,
as well as the role and operation of the DYP, ”said Mr. Carmant.
According to the authorities, youth protection mediation "will be a new possible avenue before going to court", which will "prevent children from experiencing the sometimes negative repercussions of the traditional judicial process".
The government wants to recognize families "a central role in the intervention plan by ensuring them to express themselves and participate in the decision-making process". "This new mediation service is thus likely to promote better intervention
in the protection of young people", it is said.
“It is an approach that promotes the mobilization of parents in order to identify possible solutions to better meet the needs of children. It constitutes a non-judicial avenue deployed in the primary interests of the child. This pilot project will promote the exploration of a new avenue in order to better protect our children, ”said Mr. Jolin-Barrette on Monday.
Gradual deployment
More concretely, this offer of “mediation” will be placed just after the offer of agreement on voluntary measures when this one is refused or cannot be concluded. At this stage, the attorneys of the Director of Youth Protection (DYP) will determine the cases that could go to mediation, and the parties will then be informed. If the parties agree, the case will be sent to mediation and the parties will be summoned.
It should also be noted that this new service, supported by the Barreau du Québec, will be offered free of charge for a maximum of five hours. It will be gradually established in the judicial district of Quebec; deployment to other judicial districts during the year 2022 is planned, but will be announced at a later date. It is not known which other municipalities will be targeted at this time.
Finally, the accredited mediators in family matters who will participate in the project must have experience and knowledge in the field of youth protection, indicates the government. “Specialized training” will also be developed by
the authorities, and required to participate in the program.
The report of the Special Commission on the Rights of Children and Youth Protection - also known as the Laurent Report - was tabled in May 2021. The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, s' was then committed to initiating, as of this fall, a "in-depth reform" of the Youth Protection Act. “When I say reform, it is not trivial. It is in depth that we must review the law,
as well as the role and operation of the DYP, ”said Mr. Carmant.
HENRI OUELLETTE-VÉZINA
PRESS
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2021-09-06/protection-de-la-jeunesse/quebec-lance-un-projet-pilote-d-acces-a-la-mediation.php
PRESS
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2021-09-06/protection-de-la-jeunesse/quebec-lance-un-projet-pilote-d-acces-a-la-mediation.php