April 16, 2019 - Montreal, Quebec - Department of Justice Canada
Canadians expect that language should not be a barrier to access to justice. That is why the Government of Canada is taking positive measures to support official language minority communities as they interact with the justice system.
Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the Government of Canada's support for the Quebec Community Groups Network's (QCGN) people-centered project for improving access to Justice in English in Quebec. This project, which received $445,050 in funding, will support community volunteers leading the QCGN's work in three key areas: justice services related to administrative tribunals, youth, and seniors. The project will help ensure continued dialogue and engagement, both within the community and with the justice sector.
The QCGN initiative also proposes to improve awareness and provide support to those navigating the justice system through an online platform. It will provide users with useful information concerning the issues, rights, services and processes relating to access to justice in English in the province. This project will also support a community forum that will be held in September 2019. The forum will provide an opportunity to review progress made on improving access to justice in English in Québec, while ensuring that new and ongoing efforts remain informed by the needs of the community.
Justice Canada's Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund provides funding to non-profit organizations, learning institutions and provincial and territorial partners to meet the needs of minority Francophone and Anglophone communities across the country.
"Our Government is working to ensure Canadians have access to a justice system that is fair, relevant and accessible. This project will help fill the gaps in the delivery of justice services in English in Quebec and will have a significant impact on the more vulnerable members of this community. I am proud to support initiatives that improve access to justice across Canada."
The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
"Thanks to this generous funding from Justice Canada, the Quebec Community Groups Network will engage with community groups, legal experts and justice system stakeholders to gain deeper knowledge of how the institutions of Quebec's justice system work. We will be taking a people-centered approach to identify barriers impeding access to justice in English in three priority areas: Youth protection and young offenders; access to justice for seniors and the elderly; as well as the capacity of administrative tribunals to serve English-speaking Quebecers."
Geoffrey Chambers
Quebec Community Groups Network President
Quick facts
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In addition to the funding announced today, Budget 2019 proposes to invest $21.6 million over five years, starting in 2020-21 to support legislative amendments that provide for increased access to family justice-and divorce in particular-in the official language of one's choice. This funding will help improve the availability of bilingual services in the family justice system.
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The total amount of funding currently available through Justice Canada's Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support fund is $46 M over between 2018-19 and 2022-2023. This total does not include the Budget 2019 proposed funds.
