Solidarity against a hasty and unjustified reform of Bill P-38

Rights groups across Quebec are denouncing a possible hasty and unjustified reform of Bill P-38. We firmly believe that this exceptional law, which affects the fundamental freedoms of people in crisis situations, must not be hastily amended without solid guarantees and without resolving the real challenges on the ground.

Droits et Recours Santé Mentale Gaspésie-Les-Îles was ably represented by four members of its work team at the interregional meeting of several AGIDD-SMQ member groups in the Outaouais region on November 5, 6 and 7. From left to right: Vicky Bilodeau, Katherine Cyr, Karyne Boudreau and Marilou Ruelland.

We also add our voice to that of the hundred or so people also present, from member groups of the Association des groupes d'intervention en défense des droits en santé mentale du Québec (AGIDD-SMQ), who are denouncing the Quebec government's announced reform of Bill P-38. This opposition is shared by Patrick Martin-Ménard, a lawyer specializing in health law, who gave an interesting talk on the subject to kick off the day's discussions on Thursday.

The announced reform of Bill P-38 is causing great concern among advocates. For us, it is essential to remember that changing the law will not solve the central problem: the crying lack of mental health resources and services. As the report by the Institut québécois de réforme du droit et de la justice (IQRDJ) points out, the people targeted by Bill P-38 had often already sought help without receiving it adequately. In other words, legislative reform will only displace the problem without offering real solutions to those in distress.

Our fears are simple: expanding or amending P-38 without strengthening access to services risks trivializing custody measures and seriously undermining human rights. Instead of protecting, it could further harm already vulnerable people.

The Executive Director of Droits et Recours Santé Mentale Gaspésie-Les-Îles was interviewed on this subject. You can listen to her interview on CHNC below.

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