Est-du-Québec has a large shortage of lawyers, making access to justice difficult, especially for low-income people.
The average region in Quebec has 144 lawyers per 100,000 inhabitants.
In Eastern Quebec, this average is more like 99 lawyers per 100,000 inhabitants. Therefore, it will be necessary to add 128 lawyers to reach the provincial average.
In Gaspé, there will be no private practice firm or private practice lawyerdescribes the Executive Director of the Bas-Saint-Laurent-Gaspésie Community Legal Center, Isabelle D’Amours. In Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, there will be only one.
Ms. D’Amours therefore observes an increase in self-representation before the courts, especially of those who may turn to legal aid services.
If Rimouski and Bonaventure lack five to six lawyers receiving legal aid mandates, there are urgent needs for the population.explained by Ms. D’Amours.
The Executive Director also noted that many lawyers in the regions are leaving private practice to work in public organizations without filling their place in private practice.
Of the 28,000 lawyers in Quebec, 43% are in private practice, 23% in public and parapublic organizations and the rest are retired or working for unions.
For many, the solution depends on the region’s ability to advance itself to attract labor.
I think [qu’il faudrait] better inform law graduates about the prospects [de vivre en région], says PQ MP for Matane-Matapédia, Pascal Bérubé. Wouldn’t they have thought in many instances if we would give them information to get to our region? “
The MNA said this labor deficit was more than observed in other professionals such as dentists, veterinarians and optometrists.
Based on a report by Sophie Martin
Source: Radio-Canada
