Need help? Know where to go

For a problem with Government of Québec services

Long wait times? Unpaid benefits or indemnities? Mistakes in processing your file? Contact the Protecteur du citoyen. We see to it that government departments, public agencies and the health and social services network uphold your rights. Our services are free and there’s no complicated red tape.

In certain cases, there are specific forms of recourse. For example:

• You want to file a complaint about the behaviour of a staff member at the school your child attends – The National Student Ombudsman handles complaints in the school environment (public or private). For more information, read our article titled Complaints in schools: new recourse for parents and students.
• Your child is not getting the rehabilitation services they need – Turn to the service quality and complaints commissioner. They handle complaints about the services provided by health and social services institutions or organizations. For more information, read our Filing a health network complaint in the public or private sector article.

Are you having trouble filing a complaint about the health and social services network? Complaints assistance centres (CAAPs) and users’ committees can help you with the process.

Other difficulties?

Here’s an address book with contacts for useful information and recourse.

• You have a problem with a merchant – The Office de protection du consommateur (OPC) defends your rights as a consumer.
• You feel that you have been fired without just reason – Contact the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST). It can intervene if your employer breaches the Act respecting labour standards.
• You have been excluded from a hiring process because of your ethnic appearance – The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse handles discrimination complaints.
• A health institution’s archives department has refused to give you your medical file – The Commission d’accès à l’information can act if an inappropriate decision is made about access to your personal documents.

Information resources

• To find the community services available in the main regions of Québec – Call 2-1-1.
• For a non-urgent medical problem or for a free and confidential consultation about health questions – Call 8-1-1.
• For legal information and support – The Barreau du Québec has several free justice access resources.
• In situations of distress, for short-term shelter or phone support – Contact the Centres de crise du Québec.

In cases of environmental emergency

• Concerning forest fires – Visit Quebec.ca for information about prevention measures and to find out how to react in the event of evacuation or a nearby fire.
• Concerning floods – See our Seasonal floods: resources to help you get through article.