Access to legal aid in the regions is an issue that is often overlooked in discussions about justice in Quebec. Yet it is a reality that gives rise to many concerns and reflections, particularly in Gasp\u00e9sie. In this remote region, the challenges are multiple: lack of available lawyers, geographic distances, and limited resources. These obstacles raise crucial questions about fairness and access to justice for Gaspesian citizens. <\/p>\n\n
As lawyers and judges try to navigate these complex conditions, the Quebec Bar faces a major challenge: how to guarantee fair access to justice in Gasp\u00e9sie? There are several perspectives to consider, including the views of lawyers in the field, the concerns of the judiciary about the efficiency of the system, and the initiatives the Bar could put in place to remedy these shortcomings. <\/p>\n\n
This documentary was produced by Ma\u00efka Assels, a graduate of the Civil Law Section of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. Through in-depth interviews with legal experts and testimonials from local stakeholders, she provides a critical reflection on the realities of practicing law in regional areas.<\/p>\n\n
Mr. Alexis Desch\u00eanes<\/strong>: Back to his roots, Alexis Desch\u00eanes is a native of Cascap\u00e9dia-St-Jules, a small village near Carleton-sur-Mer in the Baie-des-Chaleurs region. He is a lawyer with the New-Richmond Legal Aid Office.<\/p>\n\n Mr. Desch\u00eanes first made his mark in journalism, where he covered politics for the TVA network for several years. Wishing to take on new challenges, Mr. Desch\u00eanes turned to law. A member of the Bar since 2013, he began his career as a lawyer with the Attorney General of Quebec. <\/p>\n\n Mr. Desch\u00eanes specializes in family law, youth protection, as well as administrative and civil law. Socially involved, Mr. Desch\u00eanes is a director on the board of Maison Maguire pour handicap\u00e9s. He is also the Gasp\u00e9sie-Bas-St-Laurent – \u00celes de la Madeleine representative for the Association professionnelle des avocates et avocats du Qu\u00e9bec. He is also President of the Parti qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois in Bonaventure. <\/p>\n\n Mrs. Catherine Claveau<\/strong> : A native of Chicoutimi, Catherine Claveau has held the position of B\u00e2tonni\u00e8re du Qu\u00e9bec since June 1, 2021. In this capacity, she is the official representative of all Quebec lawyers and directs the affairs and orientations of the Quebec Bar.<\/p>\n\n Ms. Claveau has previously been involved with the Quebec City Bar for more than 20 years, having served as B\u00e2tonni\u00e8re (2015-2016) and administrator (2017-2021<\/p>\n\n Ms. Claveau studied law at Universit\u00e9 Laval in Quebec City, where she settled when she was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1989. She began her legal career in family, youth and civil law. Having quickly developed an interest in dispute prevention and resolution (DPR), Ms. Claveau is an accredited mediator in civil, commercial and family matters. In 1997, she and her partners founded Cabinet d’avocats Saint-Paul, a boutique law firm in the heart of Old Quebec. Ms. Claveau also specializes in cases of psychological harassment in the workplace: she has been acting as a neutral expert, conducting investigations and providing training in this field since 2004. <\/p>\n\n The Hon. Janick Poirier, j.c.q.<\/strong> : The Hon. Janick Poirier has been a judge of the Court of Qu\u00e9bec since June 2012. She serves on the Criminal and Penal Division and the Youth Division in New Carlisle.<\/p>\n\n The Hon. Justice Poirier holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Universit\u00e9 Laval. Called to the Bar in 1994, she began her career in private practice, then at the Commission de la et de la du travail. In 1996, she moved to the Centre jeunesse Gasp\u00e9sie \/ Les \u00celes where she practiced youth, criminal and penal law.\u00a0The Hon. Poirier has been deeply involved in the civil community, as well as in her professional association.<\/p>\n\n
\n\n