Canadian Lawyer

8 J U L Y 2 0 1 6 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m \ AT L A N T I C \ C E N T R A L \ W E S T REGIONAL WRAP-UP Q uebec lawyers are more stressed than ever before, according to a study presented at the 84th meet- ing of the Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas), a non-profit dedi- cated to the advancement of science in Quebec and French Canada. The study, led by Université de Sher- brooke professor Nathalie Cadieux reveals a 483-per-cent surge in calls to the Pro- gramme d'aide aux membres du Barreau du Québec, a support program for lawyers in distress, over the last 10 years. Despite this huge rise, very few studies were devot- ed to the legal profession, says Cadieux. The research was based on interviews with 22 Quebec lawyers. It analyzes the multiple stress factors that affect lawyers. The Barreau du Québec declared that it is tackling the issue. "We will have to do more, though, and we will discuss this report at the next board meeting," said bâtonnière Claudia Prémont after its release in May. She said the sharp increase in PAMBA aid demands could be due to the fact young and female members are much less reluctant to ask for help than their older and male colleagues. It is good they turn to PAMBA, but it is important to solve the problems at their sources, she added. The board will recommend an increase of the barreau members' PAMBA compulsory contribution, she said. The Acfas study singles out the hourly billing system as a major source of stress. A recent barreau report lists the adverse All stressed out and nowhere to go C E N T R A L PASCAL ELIE REACH ONE OF THE LARGEST LEGAL AND BUSINESS MARKETS IN CANADA! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN PRINT With more than 300,500 page views and 100,000 unique visitors monthly canadianlawlist.com captures your market. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Colleen Austin: T: 416.649.9327 E: colleen.austin@thomsonreuters.com www.canadianlawlist.com Untitled-4 1 2016-06-14 4:01 PM

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