Montréal, November 10, 2009. - On November 5, 2009, in Longueuil, Me Denis Roy, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques, proudly handed out the 2009 Robert-Sauvé Awards. The winner in the General Public award is Father Yves Marcil, co-founder of the Centre Roland-Bertrand. The winner in the Network award was conferred upon Me Lise Malouin, a lawyer in the downtown Québec City legal aid bureau.
Father Yves Marcil
From the time of his ordainment in 1969, Father Marcil immediately had to contend with the issue of poverty and its related problems. He became a worker priest in 1978, involving himself in a variety of community projects. He established some twenty groups and service organizations, including Tel-Accueil, Auto-Psy Mauricie, a group that defends the rights of mental health patients, Hébergement Le Hamac, a homeless shelter, La Pommade, a homework and tutoring assistance service, and Partage Centre Mauricie, a food bank. He also founded the Centre Roland-Bertrand, an organization that offers a range of services to those living with poverty. Father Marcil firmly believes that every person has a place in our society and can make a contribution to the community as a full citizen. He continues to strive towards a future of hope and justice.
Me Lise Malouin
Driven by compassion and a desire to practise a more human side of the law, Me Malouin decided, while doing her training period within the legal aid network, to devote her career to those less fortunate in our society. She took a keen interest in psychosocial appraisals, social integration, the mental health of certain accused persons and the use of a friendly approach towards witnesses. Moreover, Me Malouin participated actively within her professional corporation, becoming president of the Québec City Bar in 2002. She submitted several suggestions intended to improve access to justice. Since 2006, Me Malouin has been president of La Maison de la famille, an organization to which she devotes her time wholeheartedly. Over the course of her career, Me Malouin has received the YWCA Québec’s Woman of Distinction Award, Business and Professions category, as well as the Mérite Christine-Tourigny Award conferred by the Québec Bar.
The Robert-Sauvé Award
The Commission des services juridiques created the Robert-Sauvé Award in order to recognize the exceptional contribution of individuals to promoting the rights of the less fortunate. These individuals come from within the legal aid network (network award) or from outside the legal aid network (general public award). The prize is named after the founding chairman of legal aid in Québec, the Honourable Robert Sauvé, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques from 1972 to 1977.
About the Commission des services juridiques
The Commission des services juridiques is the agency charged with applying the Legal Aid Act in Québec. Legal aid may be granted to anyone who is financially eligible, in order to cover various legal services involving civil, family, administrative or criminal matters or matters relating t o youth law.
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Source :
Marie-Noëlle Trottier,
agente d’information
514 873-3562