In Case of a Dispute

If You Reach an Impasse, You Have a Number of Options for Asserting Your Rights:

Tribunal administratif du Québec

The interpretation and implementation of government policies and laws would be difficult, if not impossible, if administrative tribunals did not exist. While courts adjudicate disputes between citizens, administrative tribunals usually resolve disputes between citizens and the state. The primary function of this branch of law is to ensure that laws are implemented and enforced in a fair and reasonable manner. It is based on the principle that government action, in all its forms, is lawful and that citizens aggrieved by unlawful government actions have effective remedies. The first section of the Act Respecting Administrative Justice in Québec states that “The purpose of this Act is to affirm the specific character of administrative justice, to ensure its quality, promptness and accessibility and to safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens.” 

The DEM is tasked with making administrative decisions—such as the closing of a file— when monitoring homeschooling families.  If you believe that the DEM has made a mistake in a decision concerning your file, you can, in a great number of cases, turn to the Tribunal administratif du Québec (TAQ). The TAQ was created to facilitate access to administrative justice, while offering guarantees of impartiality. It is there to hear the parties and its decisions are generally final and without appeal.