Winners 2008
On November 6, 2008, the Commission des services juridiques conferred the 2008 Robert-Sauvé Award on Sister Marie-Claire Bazinet, founder of the Centre de la famille des Hautes-Laurentides (general public category), and on Me Bernard Bergeron, a lawyer and the director of the Drummondville legal aid bureau (network category). Me Denis Roy, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques, presented the awards.
« General Public » category
Sister Marie-Claire Bazinet |
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Photo: Ghislain Lavoie
Me Bernard Bergeron, recipient of Robert-Sauvé - Network award, Sister Marie-Claire Bazinet , recipient of Robert-Sauvé - General public award and Me Denis Roy, chairman of the Commission des services juridiques. |
Sister Marie-Claire Bazinet
It was in the early 1980's, while doing volunteer work, that Sister Marie-Claire Bazinet noted the urgent need for services offered exclusively to disadvantaged families in her region. In 1986, she founded the Centre de la famille des Hautes-Laurentides, a non-profit organization whose aim is to contribute to the well-being of parents and their children and help them flourish. The organization offers educational tools to parents and a stimulating environment for children. Through her tireless work, Sister Bazinet has improved the daily lives of children and opened their eyes to new opportunities. The many services offered include supervised visits under the care of Sister Bazinet, who also provides visitation reports and testifies routinely in court. Sister Marie-Claire Bazinet is without a doubt a model of dedication, leadership and love.
In 2006-2007, 46 families used the services of the Centre de la famille des Hautes-Laurentides and 59 children were registered at the Centre. In addition to the outings organized by the Centre, it served meals and snacks and organized activities aimed at developing parenting skills, improving communication between parents and children and stimulating language and development in children. The Centre also participated in the creation of a non-profit organization to house disadvantaged families. It is a member of various social groups and is acknowledged by the CSSS Antoine-Labelle for the quality of its services. In 1993, it was awarded the Draveur prize as the leading community organization of the year.
« Legal Aid Network » category
Me Bernard Bergeron |
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Me Bernard Bergeron
Me Bernard Bergeron chose to work in the field of legal aid from the very moment he began his legal career, forging a solid reputation in criminal and corrections law as well as in youth law. Through his knowledge of the law and his sense of strategy, he was able to achieve excellent results and significant victories.
In addition to working as a lawyer, for nearly 30 years Me Bergeron has been involved in his community and his profession. While in Sept-Îles, he was president of the Centre de recherches et d’information en consommation (consumer research and information centre), he was a member of the board of directors of the Centre d’action des bénévoles de Sept-Îles (volunteer centre) and he was a member of the board of directors of the Sept-Îles hospital in his capacity as patient representative as well as being a member of the hospital’s administrative committee and public and labour relations committee. His involvement continued in Drummondville, where he was a member of the board of directors of the Pavillons Laforest, a reception centre for girls and boys, a member of the board of directors of La Bouée, a non-profit organization that assists individuals battling alcoholism, the president and a member of the board of directors of the organization Commun Accord which applies alternative means of justice such as community and compensatory work, the president and a member of the board of directors of Le Refuge La Piaule du centre du Québec, an organization that assists disadvantaged and homeless persons, and, finally, a member of the board of directors of the Centre d’aide aux victimes d’actes criminels du Centre du Québec (crime victims assistance centre). Me Bergeron was also president of the North Shore and Mauricie – Bois-Francs legal aid lawyers' unions, secretary of the Fédération des avocats et avocates de l’aide juridique du Québec and Bâtonnier of Arthabaska in 1998.