Worried about seeing politics interfere in their work, the twenty regional youth protection authorities are questioning the model of National Director that the CAQ reform of the DPJ should give rise to.
In a brief submitted to the National Assembly as part of special consultations on Bill 15 by the Minister for Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, the representatives of the regional DYPs wonder about the need to supervise in the newly imagined role of National Director of Youth Protection (DNPJ).
The legislative measure provides that the incumbent of this new position be appointed by the government and occupy the position of assistant deputy minister in the Department of Health and Social Services. If passed, the bill will allow him, among other things, to suspend a regional director “if he commits serious misconduct” in the performance of his duties.
“We were surprised,” agrees the regional director of Montérégie-Est, Marie-Josée Audette, when asked about these passages of the CAQ reform.
Like each of her regional co-representatives, she is concerned about the process of appointing the National Director, which she believes exposes herself to political influence. “We know that governments are sensitive to public opinion,” she said in an interview with The duty.
In a letter sent Thursday to the parliamentary committee responsible for studying Bill 15, the regional directors raise the possibility that their independence may suddenly be weakened. “It is essential that the situation of a child be protected from any decision or political upheaval”, they write.
“We are concerned that the powers given in this bill to the [Directeur national] with regard to [directeurs] regions can interfere with [notre] autonomy,” they say.
With her fellow directors, Ms. Audette invites Lionel Carmant to review the DNPJ appointment process. A two-thirds vote of the National Assembly? The creation of an independent office? “It’s certainly part of the answer,” says Ms. Audette.
In their brief, the regional directors suggest that parliamentarians strike out the sections of the bill that provide for coercive powers for the National Director of Youth Protection. Independent “vigil” bodies already exist, they plead.
Not invited
None of the representatives of the regional DYPs will testify during the special consultations concerning Bill 15. Despite repeated requests, they were not summoned.
“Of course, we are disappointed,” says Ms. Audette.
The directors met the minister virtually on Monday. An opportunity, according to the regional director of the Montérégie to inform him of the recommendations of the group. “He picked up our messages,” she maintains.
Ms. Audette is hopeful that Lionel Carmant will listen. She and her colleagues did not consider disobeying if the bill were to go ahead as is. “You may find us naïve, but we believe there will definitely be changes,” she says.
The National Assembly will hear from an expert and an organization next week to close the special consultation period for Bill 15. The parliamentarians will then move on to the clause-by-clause study stage, during which Mr. Carmant will have the opportunity to amend its legislative text.