2016 QCCQ 17173, 2016 QCCQ 17173

Protection de la jeunesse — 168251 2016 QCCQ 17173 COUR DU QUÉBEC CANADA PROVINCE DE QUÉBEC DISTRICT DE [...] LOCALITÉ DE [...] « Chambre de la jeunesse »

N° : 565-41-000240-164 DATE : 16 novembre 2016 ______________________________________________________________________ SOUS LA PRÉSIDENCE DE L’HONORABLE MARIE PRATTE, J.C.Q. ______________________________________________________________________ LA DIRECTRICE DE LA PROTECTION DE LA JEUNESSE A Demanderesse et X Enfant et A B En qualité de parents ______________________________________________________________________ JUGEMENT (Art. 38 de la Loi sur la protection de la jeunesse ) ______________________________________________________________________ MISE EN GARDE : La

Loi sur la protection de la jeunesse interdit la publication ou la diffusion de toute information permettant d’identifier un enfant ou ses parents. Quiconque contrevient à cette disposition est passible d’une amende (art. 11.2, 11.2.1 et 135 L.P.J.). [ 1 ] Invoquant une situation de risques sérieux de négligence, la Directrice de la protection de la jeunesse demande au Tribunal de déclarer compromis la sécurité et le développement de X, âgée de 3 mois. À

titre de mesures, elle recommande de maintenir l’enfant chez ses parents, tout en ordonnant in suivi social de six mois. [ 2 ] Les parents assistent à l’audience et ne s’opposent pas à la requête. [ 3 ] De consentement, la procureure de la Directrice de la protection de la jeunesse dépose le rapport de l'intervenante afin de valoir témoignage. Les parents témoignent également. [ 4 ] Les faits suivants ressortent de la preuve. X a cinq frères et sœurs dont la situation a été prise en charge par la Directrice de la protection de la jeunesse en raison des problèmes de violence et de consommation des parents.

L’aîné a maintenant 18 ans. Les quatre autres enfants sont confiés à des familles d’accueil. [ 5 ] Selon la preuve prépondérante, les parents ne consomment plus. Depuis la naissance d’X, leur situation s’est améliorée. Ils s’occupent adéquatement de leur fille, collaborent à l’intervention sociale et le père fait preuve d’attention à l’égard de la mère. [ 6 ] Cependant, comme elle n’est âgée que de 3 mois, X est évidemment très vulnérable. De plus, dans le passé, les parents ont eu de la difficulté à rester sobres pendant de longues périodes. La vigilance s’impose.

Le Tribunal ne doute pas de la bonne foi des parents, mais l’intérêt de l’enfant justifie que la Directrice de la protection de la jeunesse prenne la situation de l’enfant en charge jusqu’au 16 mai 2017.

Ce suivi social de six mois permettra en effet de vérifier si les changements constatés chez les parents sont permanents. [ 7 ] Dans ces circonstances, le Tribunal n'a aucune hésitation à déclarer la sécurité et le développement de l’enfant compromis et à faire droit aux mesures de protection suggérées qui, selon la preuve, sont appropriées à ses besoins. [ 8 ] La demande est fondée; elle est dans l’intérêt de l'enfant et respecte ses droits. [ 9 ] THEREFORE THE COURT: [ 10 ] GRANTS the motion;

[ 11 ] DECLARES that the security and the development of the child are compromised for the motives alleged in the said motion; [ 12 ] ORDERS that X be entrusted to her parents; [ 13 ] ORDERS that a person working for a CISSSO/First Nations services provide aid, counsel and assistance to the child and her family for a period of six months; [ 14 ] RECOMMENDS:

a) That the parents undergo therapy for their addiction problems;

b) That the parents receive services regarding parental skills;

c) That the parents undergo therapy to help them with their problems of violence; [ 15 ] That the parents undertake to take an active

part in the application of the measures designed to put an end to the situation in which the security or development of the child is in danger; [ 16 ] ENTRUSTS the situation of the child to the Director of Youth Protection who shall then see that the measures are carried out. __________________________________ MARIE PRATTE, J.C.Q.

M e Émilie De Bellefeuille Procureure de la Directrice de la protection de la jeunesse M e Chloé Vendette Procureure de l'enfant Madame A Mère - personnellement Monsieur B Père - personnellement Date d’audience : 16 novembre 2016 COURT OF QUÉBEC CANADA PROVINCE OF QUÉBEC DISTRICT OF [...] LOCALITY OF [...] Youth Division No. 565-41-000240-164 DATE: November 16, 2016 ______________________________________________________________________ PRESENT: THE HONOURABLE MARIE PRATTE J.C.Q. ______________________________________________________________________ DIRECTOR OF YOUTH PROTECTION FOR THE A REGION Petitioner and X Child and A B In their capacity as parents ______________________________________________________________________

JUDGMENT (section 38, Youth Protection Act ) ______________________________________________________________________ WARNING: The Youth Protection Act prohibits the publication or broadcast of information allowing a child or the child’s parents to be identified. Every person who contravenes this provision is liable to a fine (sections 11.2, 11.2.1 and 135 Y.P.A.). [1] Invoking a situation in which there is a serious risk of neglect, the Director of Youth Protection asked the Court to declare that the security and development of X, 3 months old, are in danger.

As measures, she recommended that the child be kept with her parents and that a social follow-up be ordered for six months. [2] The parents attended the hearing and did not object to the motion. [3] With consent, the attorney for the Director of Youth Protection filed the caseworker’s report to serve as testimony. The parents also testified. [4] The evidence showed the following facts. X has five brothers and sisters whose situation has been taken in charge by the Director of Youth Protection due to the violence and substance abuse problems of the parents. The oldest child is now 18 years old.

The other four children have been entrusted to foster families. [5] According to the preponderant evidence, the parents no longer engage in substance abuse. Since the birth of X, their situation has improved. They care for their daughter adequately, cooperate in the social intervention and the father is attentive toward the mother. [6] However, since X is only 3 months old, she is obviously very vulnerable. Moreover, in the past, the parents had difficulty remaining sober for extended periods. Vigilance is therefore necessary.

The Court does not doubt the good faith of the parents, but the interest of the child justifies that the Director of Youth Protection take charge of the child’s situation until May 16, 2017.

This six-month social follow-up will make it possible to ascertain whether the changes made by the parents are in fact permanent. [7] In the circumstances, the Court has no hesitation in declaring that the child’s security and development are in danger and in allowing the proposed protective measures, which, according to the evidence, are suited to her needs. [8] The motion is founded; it is in the child’s interest and in keeping with her rights. [9] THEREFORE THE COURT: [10] GRANTS the motion; [11] DECLARES that the security and the development of the child are compromised for the motives alleged in the said motion; [12] ORDERS that X be entrusted to her parents; [13] ORDERS that a person working for a CISSSO/First Nations services provide aid, counsel and assistance to the child and her family for a period of six months; [14] RECOMMENDS:

d) That the parents undergo therapy for their addiction problems;

e) That the parents receive services regarding parental skills;

f) That the parents undergo therapy to help them with their problems of violence; [15] That the parents undertake to take an active

part in the application of the measures designed to put an end to the situation in which the security or development of the child is in danger; [16] ENTRUSTS the situation of the child to the Director of Youth Protection who shall then see that the measures are carried out. __________________________________ MARIE PRATTE J.C.Q. Mtre. Émilie De Bellefeuille Counsel for the Director of Youth Protection Mtre. Chloé Vendette Counsel for the child

A Mother - representing herself B Father - representing himself Hearing date: November 16, 2016