Genevieve St-Laurent

Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

The Commission was constituted under the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms in 1976. The present name and responsibilities of the Commission result from the merging in 1995 of the Commission des droits de la personne and the Commission de protection des droits de la jeunesse. The Commission is independent from the governement and fulfills its mandate for the sole benefit of citizens and in the public interest. The Commission's mandate is to promote and uphold the principles stated in: •the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms •the Youth Protection Act •the Youth Criminal Justice Act The Commission also ensures the enforcement of: •the Act respecting equal access to employment in public bodies The Commission's mandate includes the following responsabilities: •Inform the public about rights recognized by the Charter, the Youth Protection Act and Youth Criminal Justice Act •Carry out investigations in cases of discrimination and exploitation (under the Charter) and in cases of infringements of children and youth rights (under the YPA or the YCJA) •Make recommendations to the Québec governement regarding conformity of laws with the Charter and regarding any issue related to rights and freedoms and youth protection. •Undertake and promote research and publications on fundamental rights and freedoms and on children rights •Offer an advisory service on reasonnable accommodation to employers and decision-makers •Monitors the application of equal access to employment programs •Cooperate with any organization, dedicated to the promotion of human rights and freedoms, in or outside Québec