Pascale Fournier named as commissioner of the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Pascale Fournier has been named part-time commissioner of the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) for a five-year term. She therefore joins a team of ten eminent professionals from various fields – legal, medical, social- whose respective careers all reflect a commitment to the organization’s fundamental concerns, the protection of rights and freedoms. Quebec premier, Philippe Couillard, submitted a motion to the National Assembly to nominate her, which was unanimously adopted on April 1st. The CDPDJ is an independent public organization constituted by the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms to enforce and promote the rights and freedoms it guarantees. The Commission also has the mandate of protecting the interest of the child as stipulated by the Quebec Youth Protection Act.

Within these new functions, Professor Fournier will fulfill the CDPDJ’s multidisciplinary mandate of promotion, research and advocacy in addition to sitting on its Complaints Committee. In this quasi-judiciary role, she will study complaints filed by citizens after they have been investigated, in order to assess whether the allegations amount to a violation of a Charter protected right, in which case court procedures may be triggered. Professor Fournier will therefore have the opportunity to let her vast Human Rights and youth protection expertise benefit our everyday battle against discrimination and in favour of the rights of the child, while also fostering a more egalitarian society through positive initiatives. She will embark on this new and exciting professional chapter as soon as she is sworn in on April 24th. Professor Fournier, who is currently in Ireland where she will give a conference at Trinity College Dublin, said she was thrilled by the news of her nomination!

Pascale Fournier, Jacques Frémont (President of the Commission) and Jacques Chagnon (President of the Quebec National Assembly) during the swearing-in ceremony.

Pascale Fournier, Jacques Frémont and the Commissioners.

Pascale Fournier and Jacques Chagnon (President of the Quebec National Assembly) during the swearing-in ceremony.

Pascale Fournier, Jacques Frémont (President of the Commission) and Jacques Chagnon (President of the Quebec National Assembly) during the swearing-in ceremony.