The impact of waiting times, which have caused recurring and chronic problems at the Youth Protection Department (DPJ), is currently the subject of a broad investigation throughout Quebec.
“We have documented the issue of waiting times for children whose reports the DPJ has retained and we note that the situation seems to have worsened,” indicated Suzanne Arpin, vice-president of the Commission responsible for the youth mandate, by press release Thursday.
The initiative goes to the Commission on Human Rights and Youth Rights, which decided to look into waiting times and evaluate the application of measures in the cases of children taken into care by the DPJ.
The organization thus intends to focus its attention on the times of two waiting lists, namely the wait before the evaluation of a report by the DPJ and that before the application of measures, when the security and development of the child are considered compromised.
“This investigation is necessary because of the numerous problems noted by the Rights Commission during its individual investigations and the issues raised by judges in the context of orders infringing rights,” continued Suzanne Arpin.
A few months ago, stakeholders in the field could not explain that waiting times could reach up to 41 days across the province – or even more than double on average in Montreal – to obtain an initial assessment. , they told TVA Nouvelles.
“Our survey of all of Quebec will allow us to recommend systemic solutions for the well-being of the most vulnerable children,” added the vice-president of the Commission.