Quebec City, March 21, 2020 – Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec Sonia LeBel announced the suspension of time limits for administrative justice proceedings. The measure aims to safeguard the rights of citizens, while keeping them away from justice facilities, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As such, all time limits for bringing proceedings before the following bodies, excluding applications deemed urgent by their representatives, are suspended until the public health emergency has been lifted:
- Administrative Tribunal of Québec
- Administrative Labour Tribunal
- Financial Markets Administrative Tribunal
- Commission de la fonction publique
- Commission d’accès à l’information (adjudication division)
- Commissaire à la déontologie policière (time limit for filing a complaint)
The time limits to file an application, to apply for the renewal of a permit or other authorization, to pay fees or charges or to make submissions before the following bodies, or to apply for review of a decision related to matters under their jurisdiction, have also been suspended:
- Comité de déontologie policière
- Commission municipale du Québec (subject to exceptions)
- Commission des transports du Québec
- Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux
- Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec
This measure follows the creation of a COVID-19 legal aid clinic, announced earlier this week by Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec Sonia LeBel and President of the Barreau du Québec Paul-Matthieu Grondin. The clinic is a free legal aid hotline for citizens who have questions about their rights and obligations in the context of the ongoing pandemic.
To reach the COVID-19 legal aid clinic:
- 1 866 699-9729 (toll-free)
- 418 838-6415 (National Capital)
- 514 789-2755 (Montréal)
- 819 303-4080 (Gatineau)
Quote
“The measures we are taking in the current context will help ensure the health and safety of our citizens and members of the legal community. With the valued support of our partners, we are making every effort to respond diligently to issues that are emerging daily, while also making sure that everyone’s rights are protected.”
Sonia LeBel, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec
Additional information
For more information on the impact of these measures, please contact the relevant organization directly.
Related links
For details on the suspension of time limits by organization, please visit the website of the Ministère de la Justice: https://bit.ly/33ACArv.
To learn more: https://www.justice.gouv.qc.ca/en/coronavirus/.
– 30 –
| Sources : | Renseignements : | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Nicky Cayer | Paul-Jean Charest |
