Description

The Robert-Sauvé Award honours the exceptional contributions of two people who have worked on behalf of the less fortunate. One prize is awarded to someone working the legal aid network, the other to a member of the public-at-large. Candidates for the award must have devoted themselves to this cause for many years and carried out their work in Québec.

The award is named after the first chairman of legal aid in Québec, The Honourable Robert Sauvé, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques from 1972 to 1977. Robert Sauvé was convinced that a legal aid system was essential to ensuring access to justice for all Québecers. The winners of the awards have the privilege of being associated with one of the most ardent defenders of the rights of the less fortunate.

The award was handed out for the first time in 1999, posthumously to the Honourable Robert Sauvé.

Network Award

General Public Award

Selection Committee

• a member of the Commission des services juridiques, other than the Chairman;
• a staff lawyer appointed by the Directors General;
• an external member chosen by the Commissioners. That person must be either a judge or someone publicly well-known and respected.

How do you submit a nomination?
Any person or organization who wishes to submit one or more nominees for consideration must send a complete file that includes:

• a nomination form;
• an introductory letter;
• two letters of support;
• a description of the career and exceptional acts of the nominee.

Nomination forms are also available at your regional community legal centre.

The Robert Sauvé Award will be presented in odd-numbered years. Due to the pandemic, the award will not be presented in 2021.

Complete nomination files must be sent  exceptionally before June 30^th to the following address:

Robert-Sauvé Award Committee
Commission des services juridiques
P.O. Box 123
Station Desjardins
Montreal, Québec, H5B 1B3

Information
M^e Richard La Charité
(514) 873-3562, extension 232
rlacharite@csj.qc.ca
or your regional community legal centre      

 

Documentation

Dépliant
(French only)
Selection Criteria and Process
(French only)
Candidacy Application Form
(French only)

2019
2017
2015
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
1999
All

Winners 2006

On November 9, 2006, the Commission des services juridiques handed out the 2006 Robert-Sauvé Award to Mrs. Ruth Gagnon and Me Jacques Racine. Me Denis Roy, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques, presented the Award.

The Robert-Sauvé Award honours the exceptional contribution of two individuals to promoting the rights of the less fortunate. It is comprised of two awards, the General Public Award and the Network Award.

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« General Public » category

Mrs. Ruth Gagnon

Photo: Paul Ducharme From left to right : Me Bernand Grenier, Chairman of the Robert-Sauvé Award Selection Committee, Me Jacques Racine, winner of the Robert-Sauvé Award - Network award, Me Raymond Leduc, member of the Robert-Sauvé Award Selectio

Mrs. Ruth Gagnon
The Award for the General Public award was conferred on Mrs. Ruth Gagnon, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Québec, a community organization whose mission is to help women who, one day, may have to face the criminal justice system and are determined to come out of it successfully, although they are unable to do so on their own. Mrs. Gagnon has devoted her life to individuals who are or may be criminalized, by offering crime prevention services and social reintegration programs. She worked primarily within community organizations as well as for the Correctional Service of Canada. During her career, she has reached out to adults and teenagers, guiding and supporting them in their efforts to reintegrate into society. Individuals who land in prison are, for the most part, victims of abuse, violence and abandonment. Mrs. Gagnon has always tried to give them back the dignity to which they are entitled.

« Legal Aid Network » category

Me Jacques Racine

Me Jacques Racine
The Award for the Network award was conferred on Me Jacques Racine, retired director general of the Community Legal Centre of the Lower St. Lawrence/Gaspé Region. A pioneer and leader in computing matters, Me Racine was the first director within the legal aid network to show interest in, and understand the importance of, using new technologies. In the 1980s, he established a computer network in the various offices of the Community Legal Centre of the Lower St. Lawrence/Gaspé Region. This innovation significantly improved customer service. His example was followed throughout the legal aid network. Me Racine was the director of the Community Legal Centre of the Lower St. Lawrence/Gaspé Region from June 1978 to July 1999. Having been admitted to the Bar in 1971, he began working in the field of legal aid in 1973, the year in which the network was established. At that time, he was entrusted with the task of setting up the legal aid bureau in Rimouski. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Me Racine practised criminal, matrimonial, administrative, civil and youth law at the legal aid bureau. In 1978, he became the director general of the Community Legal Centre of the Lower St. Lawrence/Gaspé Region and, from 1997 until his retirement from the legal aid system in 1999, he was the interim director general of the Community Legal Centre of the North Shore.