Quebec is providing $2.4 million over four years to the Juripop legal clinic, to enable it to accompany and support employees who are victims of psychological harassment or sexual violence in the workplace.
Labour Minister Jean Boulet made the announcement on Friday morning, accompanied by Juripop’s executive director, Sophie Gagnon.
The funding will be spread over four years, with an annual amount of $600,000 until 2028.
The money will enable the legal clinic to “lend a hand” to around 300 victims, said Boulet at a news conference in Montreal.
“The services are free, and it will apply to people who file a sexual harassment complaint under the Act respecting labour standards or a claim to obtain compensation from the CNESST alleging that it’s a work accident,” the minister said.
This announcement followed the adoption of a bill to prevent and combat psychological harassment and sexual violence in the workplace in March.
The assistance is in response to recommendations made by a committee of three professors in anticipation of the bill’s study and adoption.
They argued that “complainants did not benefit from sufficiently personalized support to be adequately represented in the recourse process,” the Quebec government said in a news release.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 14, 2024.