The Laurent Commission on Child Rights has revealed that only 29 out of 65 recommendations have been fully or largely implemented. This finding comes from a five-year review released recently by government officials. The Commission was established in response to the tragic death of a child in Granby in 2019, aiming to prevent similar incidents.
Status of the Recommendations
During a press conference held in Montreal, Lionel Carmant, the Minister responsible for Social Services, and Lesley Hill, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Youth Protection, discussed the progress of the recommendations. Since the Commission’s report was published in 2021, 27 recommendations are currently part of ongoing efforts, either being partially completed or in need of additional consolidation.
- Fully or Largely Implemented: 29 recommendations
- Currently Under Review: 27 recommendations
- Not Started or Progressing Slowly: 8 recommendations
Key Recommendations in Progress
One critical area needing attention is the strengthening of Youth Intervention Teams (EIJ). These teams are not consistently deployed across all regions of Quebec, which has hindered their effectiveness. The Commission originally advocated for expanding the role of EIJ to provide better support for families requiring multiple services.
In April, a new strategy called “Growing in Confidence” was introduced. This plan aims for a nationwide deployment of EIJ for complex cases. Among other achievements, the government increased the number of places in the Youth Qualification Program (PQJ) from 850 to 1,462 in recent years, helping 2,286 youth in 2024-2025 based on a 2019 Commission recommendation.
New Developments in Child Rights
About a year ago, Quebec appointed its first Commissioner for the Welfare and Rights of Children, Marie-Ève Brunet-Kitchen. Recently, she published her first report, urging lawmakers to adopt a Quebec Charter of Children’s Rights, which is part of the ongoing recommendations from the Laurent Commission.
The summary document highlights that the principles proposed by the Commission are now integrated into the preamble of the Youth Protection Act (LPJ – 2022) and the law governing the Commissioner for Children’s Welfare and Rights (2024 – CBEDE).
Despite some progress, significant work remains to be done to fully implement the recommendations from the Laurent Commission and ensure the protection of children’s rights in Quebec.
