Quebec hoping to reduce use of paper in justice system
Posted April 24, 2018 12:27 pm.
Last Updated April 24, 2018 2:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MONTREAL – The Quebec government says it hopes to greatly reduce the use of paper in the province’s judicial system in order to make it much more efficient.
The emphasis on making sure documents and files are computerized is part of a $500-million investment over five years in the justice system that was announced in last month’s provincial budget.
“What we wish is to use technology to give better access to citizens,” Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee told a news conference Tuesday. “It’s an opportunity for citizens to be able to access their file from the comfort of their home.
“Because if you want to consult your file for child support, for example, and you want to have access to a procedure filed by your ex-husband, unless you ask your lawyer to provide you with the information, which will come with cost, you have to come to the courthouse between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“And this is not very useful.”
Vallee also said there will also be more use of video conferences between detention centres and courthouses when an arraignment is expected to be brief.
The goal is to cut costs related to the transfer of people who face charges.
