Quebec Justice Minister Jolin-Barrette is in France looking for ways to improve the justice system
Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette's diplomatic mission to France was not only an opportunity to discuss the French language, but also to exchange ideas on how to improve the justice system.
"They have solutions in France regarding judicial delays," explained Jolin-Barrette, after his meeting Friday with his French counterpart, Éric Dupond-Moretti.
Jolin-Barrette cited, among other things, "penal procedures," the equivalent of criminal law, where, "for minor offences, the procedure is done much more quickly."
In Canada, the Jordan decision has been much talked about since its inception in 2016.
The Supreme Court decision states that citizens facing criminal charges have a right to a trial "within a reasonable time" and has been used several times to stop prosecutions that were taking too long to reach a conclusion.
Although the Criminal Code is under federal jurisdiction, the courts that deal with these cases are often provincial.
Jolin-Barrette also said he wanted to draw inspiration from France in terms of modernizing the justice system.
"They are doing very good things about digitization, computerization of justice... They are already much more advanced than we are at that level," he said.
But it is not only Quebec which has an interest in taking notes, explained Dupond-Moretti in a communiqué.
"It seems to be very useful to be inspired by the Quebec experiences," he said. "Whether it is about violence against women, the development of mediation and amicable dispute resolution, restorative justice, or the status of lawyers in companies, the Quebec experiences are rich and can inspire new improvements in the service of the French."
"This meeting was an opportunity to present our model of specialized court and to exchange on recent initiatives implemented on both sides to fight against sexual violence and domestic violence," said Jolin-Barrette, adding that "Quebec is the first jurisdiction in the world to implement this structure."
Other topics will also be the subject of exchanges of best practices within a permanent working committee, including the layout of courthouses, restorative justice and out-of-court settlements.
Jolin-Barrette was on a diplomatic visit to France from June 22 to 25. He delivered a speech to the Académie française on Bill 96 and language preservation and met with the Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 25, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.