The Barreau de Québec has urged political parties, in the middle of an election campaign, to make the modernization of the judicial system a priority, in particular by doubling the budget allocated to justice.
He wants the budget to go from 1.1% of the total Quebec budget to 2.2% to fight against the chronic underfunding perceived in the community.
“The crying needs and calls for action from the various players in the legal community are all indicators of a major crisis of confidence, within the population, towards Quebec judicial institutions”, argued Wednesday Me Catherine Claveau. , president of Quebec.
According to the Bar, the justice system has reached its limits and could face disruptions in service, already perceived in certain sectors such as the Small Claims Division, whose delays in obtaining a hearing are increasingly long.
Among its demands, the Bar wants to see easier access to justice, in particular by proposing that lawyers’ fees and court costs be tax deductible.
The implementation “without delay” of the recommendations for the reform of legal aid is also demanded, as is the complete digital transformation of the justice system.
“The negligence vis-à-vis justice over time and the underestimated effects of such negligence towards respect for the rights of citizens have pushed the judicial system to the end of its rope,” insisted President Claveau.