The Quebec government will provide $2.4 million over four years to the Juripop Legal Clinic, to help employees who have suffered psychological harassment or sexual violence at work.
Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet made the announcement at a press conference in Montreal on Friday.
Juripop will provide legal assistance and support by offering free services to those who process or make claims for an employment injury resulting from sexual violence.
The money will be spread over four years with an annual amount of $600,000 until 2028.
These funds will allow the legal clinic “to lend a hand” to approximately 300 victims per year, noted Boulet.
“The services are free. And this will apply to people who will present a complaint of sexual harassment under the Act respecting labor standards or a claim to obtain compensation from the CNESST alleging that it is a work accident,” explained the minister. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the confidence we place in the expertise of the Juripop Legal Clinic with regard to supporting victims and access to justice.”
This announcement followed the adoption of Bill 42, the Act to Prevent and Fight Psychological Harassment and Sexual Violence in the Workplace, on March 27 to better protect employees.
This financial assistance comes after recommendations from a committee of three renowned professors who emphasized to the government that the “complainants did not benefit from sufficiently personalized support to be adequately represented in the context of the appeals exercised.”
“Juripop is honoured to be able to set up this service which will offer free legal advice to people who file complaints of sexual harassment at work,” said Juripop General Director Sophie Gagnon. “This measure will play an essential role in improving access to justice for victims, in addition to benefiting all parties concerned by strengthening procedural fairness in the handling of complaints of sexual harassment.”
-With files from La Presse Canadienne