A court office for civil cases at the Kuujjuaq courthouse

KUUJJUAQ, QC, May 24, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Residents of Ungava Bay in Nunavik will now have access to services at a court office for civil and family cases at the Kuujjuaq courthouse. The new court office is located at 151 Siuralikuut Street in Kuujjuaq, and citizens can file applications from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The MNA for Ungava, Jean Boucher, officially announced the new service point this morning on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec, Stéphanie Vallée. This addition to the network will make it possible to file an application for divorce, have a will homologated and file small claims proceedings, as well as pay court costs, without leaving the community.

Until now, citizens had to instruct a lawyer in Amos in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region to complete these steps. The new office will increase the accessibility of the justice system in part of the Nord-du-Québec region. In keeping with the general aim of improving services for citizens in Nunavik, work is under way to organize a local justice centre, scheduled to open shortly. The centre will offer free legal information, support and guidance services, in person and by phone.  

Quotes:
"Access to justice is a priority for our government, and we feel it is important to offer equal services, as far as possible, to citizens in all regions of Québec. By opening a court office for civil and family cases for the Ungava Bay population, we have taken concrete steps to meet needs in the community."

Stéphanie Vallée, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec

"I am delighted by today's announcement, which will make the process a lot simpler for Ungava Bay residents. Instead of instructing a lawyer in Amos, in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, and making payments by postal order, they will now be able to complete the formalities themselves at the Kuujjuaq courthouse."

Jean Boucher, MNA for Ungava

Further information:
The measures introduced by the Québec government to promote access to justice in the Nord-du-Québec region include Bill 168, tabled in the National Assembly on December 8, 2017, which creates two new positions for Court of Québec judges residing in the region.

The fourteen villages in Nunavik are served by the Court of Québec via an itinerant court with two divisions, one for each bay. Under the court schedule for 2017-2018, the itinerant court will hear adult cases in Ungava Bay for 15 weeks and in Hudson Bay for 25 weeks.

In addition, the Ministère de la Justice supports 8 community justice committees, whose members help resolve certain social conflicts. They intervene, in particular, as part of the alternative measures program for young people and adults, and to follow up on orders made by judges.

Link:

Ministère de la Justice du Québec: www.justice.gouv.qc.ca/en

SOURCE Cabinet de la ministre de la Justice et Procureure générale du Québec

Source : Isabelle Marier St-Onge, Press officer, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec, 418 643-4210; Frédérique Brais-Chaput, Political staffer, Office of the MNA for Ungava, 418 748-6046; Information: Paul-Jean Charest, Media relations, Ministère de la Justice du Québec, 418 644-3947, extension 20932