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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 134

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 24, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 134 - Nov/24/22
Ms. Christine Normandin
  • Nov/24/22 2:00:03 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-4 
Mr. Speaker, I am pretty sure everyone knows that the Bloc Québécois will support Bill S‑4, because my colleagues have said so. However, one clause in the bill states that appearances by video conference should not be optional. The Barreau du Québec actually recommends deleting that clause. We should not see this as a solution. There are problems with distance and access to courts, and we cannot tell ourselves that we do not need to deal with the issue of access to courts because we have this band-aid solution, a plan B that lets us do things another way. We have to make sure people always understand that they can choose between in-person attendance in court and appearing by video conference and that they are not indirectly forced to choose one over the other.
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Context: House Hansard - 134 - Nov/24/22
Ms. Christine Normandin
  • Nov/24/22 3:27:12 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-4 
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Joliette for his question. I did touch on that in my speech. Connectivity is one interesting aspect. One of the downsides I see is the emergence of regional disparities. Some people may be required to come to court to testify in person because of poor connectivity in the region. Conversely, people who live some distance away may be pressured to communicate via audio conference and testify by video conference on the grounds that it is easier for them to do so remotely even though they might prefer to do it in person. Either scenario poses a risk of unequal treatment. This is one of the important factors that the House and perhaps the independent commissions will have to study. The Barreau du Québec also raised the issue in its recommendations.
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Context: House Hansard - 134 - Nov/24/22
Ms. Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, BQ)
  • Nov/24/22 4:05:43 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-4 
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech. I would like to hear what he thinks about a situation that could result from the application of Bill S‑4. For example, since there is often a shortage not only of judges but also of court rooms, clerks, public servants and constables, we could potentially find ourselves in a situation where a person could get an earlier court date if they decided to have their case heard via video conference, whereas those who chose to have an in-person hearing would have to wait longer. Ultimately, that would perhaps put pressure on people to proceed via video conference even if they would rather have their case heard in person.
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