Aid and resources
✕
Dialogue as the
first step
The quickest way to defend your rights is to have a discussion with the person concerned.
If this step is difficult or problematic, there are organizations that can listen to you, answer your questions, and support you in your efforts.
Your options
If you believe that one of your rights is not being respected or has not been respected, you can file a complaint. The complaint process can happen at the same time as a pursuit. You can still take legal action, even if the decision following your complaint is not in your favour.
Depending on your situation and your intentions, here are the different
actions you can undertake:
Professional orders or corporations
Event related to healthcare treatment or service
Healthcare establishment’s Service quality and complaints commissioner
Event related to healthcare treatment or service
Québec Ombudsman
Review of a decision by the SQCC or emergency related to upholding a right
Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse
Event related to the violation of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail
Work-related event
Legal proceedings
Event with serious consequences
I need help to defend my rights
Organizations can support you in your efforts, answer your questions or refer you to the right resource.
Employment-related situation
Situation involving health services
For all situations
- If you belong to a union, you can contact it to get information and representation.
- Au bas de l’échelle is an organization that helps non-unionized workers defend their rights in the workplace.
The CNESST can answer your questions confidentially and may be able to receive your complaint.
- Your region’s Centre d’assistance et d’accompagnement aux plaintes (CAAP) offers services free of charge to help you file your complaint for services received in the public healthcare system.
- All hospitals have a Users’ Committee. It is made up of patients and can inform you of your rights and make recommendations.
- In addition to receiving complaints, these organizations can inform you about your options depending on your situation:
- If you have experienced or think you have experienced gynecological or obstetrical violence, you can contact the Regroupement Naissances Respectées.
- If you have any dissatisfaction with the health services you received during pregnancy and childbirth, you may contact the Movement for Autonomy in Childbirth.
- Your region’s Centre de justice de proximité can provide free legal support and guide you through your process.
- La Maison Bleue is an organization in Montreal that helps families experiencing difficulties. Legal support is one of the services they offer.
Organizations specialized in supporting certain communities
The rights of and surrounding pregnancy aim to protect everyone. However, situations may affect certain communities differently. For members of these communities, specialized organizations exist to offer you additional help.
Indigenous persons
Members of cultural minorities
Immigrants awaiting status
LGBTQ+ persons
Bereaved parents
Persons with disabilities
People experiencing homelessness (Montreal)
People experiencing homelessness (Québec city)
Need
to talk?
Did you experience a difficult situation and want to talk about it? You can talk to a health professional about it. Resources also exist to listen to you, understand you and support you.
Many community organizations, such as Women’s Centers, are also there to support you. To find out about services near you, dial 211 or consult 211 Québec.