QUEBEC CITY – Most would agree it’s a grave miscarriage of justice – court delays in Quebec mean some alleged serious offenders don’t face trial.
Critics insist it’s the victims who suffer.
For instance, a year and a half ago, a now seven-year-old girl came forward about a case of sexual abuse; the family shared their story with TVA.
The mother explained she fears the girl’s memories will become harder to recount as time goes on and the more court procedures are postponed, the more likely her daughter’s abuser will go free.
The story got the attention of the Parti Québécois (PQ), who is calling for an immediate action plan to prevent unnecessary court delays.
“In the last five years, there’s been an increase of 50 per cent. Almost 200 lawyers tabled requests to ask for a withdrawal of trial,” said PQ Justice Critic Véronique Hivon.
In October, five Hells Angels charged with murder and conspiracy were released mid-trial.
The judge blamed the crown for taking more than three years to disclose evidence.
According to Hivon, Quebec has the worst statistics in the country.
In Ontario, the average time to take a case to trial is four months.
In this province, it’s two years.
“What my colleague, Veronique Hivon says, is true,” said Justice Minister, Stéphanie Vallée.
“We have to address this problem, but I want to assure her, that’s what we’re doing on a daily basis.”
In the meantime, the opposition wants child abuse cases to be given priority.
“The evidence relies, in most cases, only on the shoulders of the victim, especially in a case of a young victim,” said Hivon.
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