Autonomous Popular Education

What is the foundation of the mission of La Voix de l'Immigrant?

The Voice of the Immigrant (LVI), a collective rights advocacy organization, bases its mission on Article 17 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, which stipulates:

"No one may discriminate in the admission, enjoyment of benefits, suspension or expulsion of a person from an association of employers or employees or from any professional order or association of persons exercising the same occupation."

The mission of La Voix de l'Immigrant is indeed the collective defense of the rights of workers who graduated abroad, victims of systemic discrimination by certain professional orders in Quebec.

What does systemic discrimination mean?

Discrimination This systemic approach translates into the numerous legal and regulatory barriers faced by the majority of foreign-trained professionals (lawyers, engineers, nurses, doctors, etc.) with respect to certain professional orders. These barriers stem from the application of (outdated) laws and regulations governing these professional orders. They are systemic barriers (not to be confused with systematic) designed to restrict access to certain regulated trades and professions in Quebec.

Here are some accounts of employment discrimination that have occurred in Quebec and an attempt at a response from the authorities:

What is a systemic barrier?

Here is an example of a systemic barrier such as that erected by the access control body of the College of Physicians of Quebec, complicating access to the medical profession in Quebec:

These are two different schemes, one simplified for graduates of Canadian and American universities, and the other complicated for graduates of foreign universities.

Learn more about the discriminatory treatment of foreign-trained doctors...

Do you think you are in the same situation?

Here is what the complaints commissioner can do for you directly, or through the services of Voice of the Immigrant (LVI).

Proposal made by the Complaints Commissioner

You might need this tool to help you advocate for your rights:

Advocating for equality: Campaigning for human rights in your community

You could also use the information below to better defend your rights.

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Here are some other useful links:

Office of Professions - Complaints Commissioner's Communication

Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission