Legal system

Legal aid

The mandate of the Commission des services juridiques (legal services commission) is to ensure that legal aid is provided to low-income persons. This government service provides low-income persons with legal assistance by procuring them a lawyer or notary either free of charge or for a small fee. You may be eligible for legal aid. Should you need this type of assistance, check with the office nearest you to see if you qualify for this program.

	USEFUL INFORMATION
	The numbers and addresses of legal aid offices in your area can be found in your telephone book.

Courts

There are several types of courts, each with its own area of jurisdiction: criminal, administrative or civil, provincial or federal, and municipal.

If you would like to bring a case before the courts, or are summoned to appear before a court, you will no doubt want to retain the services of a lawyer. You are free to choose who will represent and defend your interests, but you will have to pay the fees.

Small claims court

The complexity of the legal system and the sometimes long waiting periods prompted the Court of Québec to create the Small Claims Court. This court facilitates settling every-day civil cases, for example, a misunderstanding with a shopkeeper, a service provider, etc. Although quicker, this procedure imposes the following conditions:

• your claim cannot be above $7,000.00
• you cannot be represented by a lawyer
• the person or company you are suing must be a Québec resident or have a business office in Québec
• rulings are final and cannot be appealed.

	USEFUL INFORMATION
	You will find help or assistance for small claims in any courthouse where the Court of Québec is present. For more information on your rights and obligations, please consult the Éducaloi Web site. You will have free access to legal information on different aspects of the law: criminal and penal law, human rights law, family law, consumer law, housing law, labour law, etc.

Access to information

In Québec, An Act respecting Access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information allows access to documents kept by the State and protects the personal information of citizens, with respect to fiscal, medical, educational or other information.

Discrimination

If you feel that you have been discriminated against when looking for a job, housing, or in any other situation, contact the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (youth and human rights commission).

To lodge a complaint with the Commission, you must be able to support your case with facts. It is also, of course, to your advantage to have witnesses. Be careful to note:

• the events and the dates they occurred
• the names, addresses and phone numbers of the people or organizations involved
• the words spoken and gestures made.

Luckily, these incidents are rare, and are more likely caused by ignorance than by malicious intent. Many such situations are settled amicably. However, you do not have to tolerate repeated racist slurs or jokes. Indicate clearly to anyone who behaves in this way that you have the right to be respected and that their attitude hurts you. Quebecers have at times been the victims of negative stereotypes themselves, and will therefore be sensitive and careful to avoid discriminatory behaviour.

The Déclaration du gouvernement du Québec sur les relations interethniques et interraciales (Declaration by the gouvernement du Québec on ethnic and race relations) condemns any form of racial discrimination. It undertakes to ensure that everyone's rights are respected in all areas of life (work, housing, health, social services, education, etc.).

Useful links

• Barreau du Québec
  Information on the responsibilities of lawyers, access to legal information and virtual law library
• Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
• Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse
• Déclaration du gouvernement du Québec sur les relations interethniques et interraciales (Declaration by the gouvernement du Québec on ethnic and race relations)
• Éducaloi
  Information on your rights and responsibilities, inventory of legal publications intended for the public, contact information for various organizations
• Ministère de la Justice du Québec
  Information on regulations to respect and steps to take in relation to legal aid, housing, marriage, divorce and filiation, seizure, small claims, etc.