ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the legislation, procedures and processes surrounding environmental mediation in Quebec. It presents the mediation processes available at the judiciary, administrative and extrajudicial levels, and shows that environmental mediation processes are still at early stages of development in Quebec. The chapter examines the facilitation, mediation and arbitration procedures available in the environmental sector that the citizens can readily refer to, and provides a summary assessment of the number of mediators who offer dispute resolution services in the context of environmental disputes as well as their specific qualifications and training. It addresses the question of the potential market for environmental mediation in the light of actual conflicts and environmental issues. Participants were asked in the survey to determine their needs throughout the lifecycle of an environmental problem, encompassing three stages: preventive measures, dispute resolution process and implementation. When an environmental dispute arises, the respondents predominantly favour resort to mediation over litigation.