The Quebec Association of Notaries and Lawyers is hoping the government is feeling the pressure from their general strike, now entering its seventh week.
The Association, which represents professionals who work for the government, is arguing that the strike has caused the postponement of 1,462 cases related to Revenue Quebec. Of those, half would be subject to requests for a stay of proceedings due to unreasonable delays.
In July, the Supreme Court placed acceptable time limits for proceedings in criminal court cases from the time charges are laid until the conclusion of a trial. The ruling states that provincial court proceedings should not exceed 18 months and those in superior court should not last longer than 30 months.
The union estimated that the 1,462 cases account for $34 million in possible fines that could be paid to the government, which recently confirmed it will provide additional funds to the criminal justice system to help cope with the delays.
Union President Jean Denis said negotiations will be relaunched in the coming days.
The union was asking for a negotiation method that will allow going to arbitration as recourse. Recently, they have relaxed their stance and are asking for the government to recognize their independence under the rule of law.
“All we want is to negotiate for our independence of office and the particular functions we exercise within the state to be recognized and, ultimately, to never have to strike again,” said Denis.
