Winners 2012
Montreal, On November 8, 2012,- Me Denis Roy, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques, proudly presented the 2012 Robert-Sauvé Awards in Laval, in the presence of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec, Me Bertrand St-Arnaud.
The winner in the Legal Aid Network category was Mr. Jules Barrière for his efforts in promoting the rights of the disadvantaged, including as Director General of the Outaouais Community Legal Centre.
The award in the General Public category was conferred upon Mr. André Laurin for his efforts in promoting social justice and, in particular, ensuring that the rights of Québec consumers are recognized, regardless of income or social status.
« General Public » category
Mr André Laurin |
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| Photo: Paul Ducharme>br> From left to right : Me Bertrand St-Arnaud, Minister of Justice of Québec, Mr André Laurin, recipient of the Robert-Sauvé – General Public award and Me Denis Roy, chairman of the Commission des services juridiques. |
André Laurin From the outset of his career in the public sector at the Confédération des syndicats nationaux, André Laurin took a keen interest in the issue of employee indebtedness, to such an extent that his initiatives led to the creation of the cooperative associations for family economics, better known as ACEF. Moreover, he was a legal aid pioneer in Québec, becoming the first chairman of the board of directors of the Québec City Community Legal Centre, a position he held from 1973 to 1977.
Mr. Laurin was also the first recipient of the award conferred by the Office de la protection du consommateur in 2003 and was awarded the Prix de la justice du Québec in 2009.
« Legal Aid Network » category
Mr Jules Barrière |
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Photo: Paul Ducharme
From left to right : Me Bertrand St-Arnaud, Minister of Justice of Québec, Mrs Bernadette Barrière, spouse of the recipient of the Robert-Sauvé – Network award, Me Catherine Barrière-Gratton, granddaughter of Mr Jules Barrière and |
Mr Jules Barrière
Jules Barrière, who retired as judge of the Court of Québec for the judicial district of Hull in February 2009, devoted the majority of his professional life to helping the most disadvantaged individuals within our society. He began the practice of law in 1961 in the city of Hull. While in private practice, he participated in designing the model used for Québec’s legal aid system by working with its founding chairman.
From the moment the Legal Aid Service of the Hull Bar Association was established, he joined its ranks. In 1972, when the legal aid network was created, he became the first Director General appointed to head the Outaouais Community Legal Centre. He sat on the negotiating committee that forged a reciprocity agreement between the legal aid plans of Canada’s provinces and territories, thereby ensuring that residents most in need of help would have access to legal services.