Our mission
Explain the law in an understandable manner
Explain the law to the population of Quebec in everyday language and enhance their legal competencies.
our vision
Democratise the law to promote autonomy
Promote greater autonomy in legal matters for individuals and communities by making the law more accessible.
statistics
Highlights
Éducaloi in a few numbers:
years of expertise
legal information tools
million internet users annually
million pages viewed
profit
Éducaloi in 7 key dates
We’ve come a long way over the years!
Our distinction, our fields of expertise: legal education and clear legal communication
1991
Access to justice is a matter of great public debate. Many organizations are mandated to provide legal information to the public without it being a priority. Quebec Justice Minister Gil Rémillard forms a working group chaired by Prof Roderick A. MacDonald. This leads to the publication of the MacDonald Report, which stresses the importance of starting legal education in schools.
1996-1997
The Barreau du Québec establishes a committee on legal information and education and looks for sources of financing. Claude Masse, Bâtonnier du Québec, succeeds in obtaining some from the federal Department of Justice.
1999
Justice Québec also steps up to provide financing. The idea of establishing an independent non-profit organization under the leadership of the Barreau du Québec is discussed. From meeting to meeting, the idea gains momentum.
2000
Éducaloi and its website, educaloi.qc.ca, are officially created. We owe the name to Me Geneviève Fortin, the organization’s very first employee and Assistant Executive Director. Me Nathalie Roy becomes the first Executive Director, a position she will hold for the next 17 years. Our first projects relate to family law and young offenders.
2009
The Barreau du Québec, the Chambre des notaires and the Société québécoise d’information juridique (SOQUIJ) become institutional members of Éducaloi. We have worked together ever since to improve the legal information provided to Quebecers.
2017
The Education department and the Commission des services juridiques (legal aid) join the federal and provincial justice departments in supporting Éducaloi’s activities. That same year, Me Ariane Charbonneau becomes the Executive Director of Éducaloi. A year later, the website educationjuridique.ca, dedicated exclusively to legal education in Quebec, is launched.
2021
The most recent strategic objectives are defined until 2025. This permits the organization to concentrate on the key points: outreach and influence, human capital, growth and financing, governance, and optimization of both French and English contents.
involvments in multiple networks
Strength through networking
PLEAC – ACEIJ
Since Éducaloi was founded in 2000, it has been a member of the Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC)/l’Association canadienne d’éducation et d’information juridiques (ACEIJ). Éducaloi also has a seat on its Board of Directors.
Legal Life Skills Network
Created by Éducaloi in 2019, This network is a community of practice that brings together 19 organizations in Quebec and Ontario that are involved in legal education. Its mission is to enhance the knowledge and skills of Network members so that relevant legal education resources can be developed and disseminated in a collaborative manner.
Comité d’action sur l’accès à la justice en matière civile et familiale (access to justice committee in civil law and family law matters)
This committee represents all sectors of the civil and family law justice systems as well as the general public. Éducaloi is represented on the committee through the participation of its Director General, Me Ariane Charbonneau. The committee aims to define concrete actions to improve access to justice in civil and family law matters.
Forum québécois sur l’accès à la justice civile et familiale (Quebec forum on access to justice in civil and family law matters)
The Forum was created in the wake of the publication of Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell’s report on access to justice in civil and family law matters. Éducaloi is represented through the participation of its Director General, Me Ariane Charbonneau. The Forum aims to improve the accessibility of the law and access to justice.
Clarity International
Éducaloi is also a member of Clarity International, an organization dedicated to simplifying legal communications.
Plain Language Association International (PLAIN)
Éducaloi is also a member of this organization, which brings together hundreds of experts and professionals from various fields who are interested in clear communication.