You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in French. (February 2026)Click [show] for important translation instructions. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Consider adding a topic to this template: there are already 1,406 articles in the main category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at [[:fr:Exact name of the French article]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template {{Translated page|fr|Exact name of French article}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation.

This is a listing of reported incidents in past and present youth detention centres in Quebec, Canada. These include abuse allegations, lawsuits, suicides, riots, and more.

Contents

• Class action lawsuits
• Sexual abuse
• Suicide
• Riots
• Escapes
• See also
• References

Class action lawsuits

• In August 2022 a Quebec Superior Court judge approved a class action lawsuit covering people on or after 1 October 1950 in youth protection centres who experienced solitary confinement, use of force, or sexual assault. The lead plaintiff, Eleanor Lindsay, described sexual abuse and extended isolation in two centres during the 1970s. ^[1]
• On 19 September 2025 the Quebec Superior Court approved a second class action for children placed in centres jeunesse under youth offender legislation while aged 17 or younger. ^[2] Alleged harms include disciplinary isolation, sexual abuse, physical force, forced medication, a straitjacket and strip searches. ^[2] Defendants are the Government of Quebec and 16 integrated health and social services centres. Proceedings remain ongoing as of February 2026.
• On 13 November 2025 the Quebec Superior Court authorized a third class action on behalf of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children in youth detention centres, reception centres, transition houses, rehabilitation centres, or specific Nunavik group homes since 1 October 1950 who suffered sexual abuse, use of force (with or without restraints or chemicals), solitary confinement, discriminatory treatment, unnecessary medical procedures, or denial of education. Lead plaintiff Harry Dandy described routine beatings, isolation, and lack of schooling at Shawbridge Boys' Farm in the late 1950s–1960s. The opt-out deadline was 15 December 2025. ^{[3] [4]}

Sexual abuse

In October 2024 allegations emerged that nine female educators at the Cité-des-Prairies rehabilitation centre in Montreal have had sexual relations with at least five minors in the facility over at least one year. One educator allegedly became pregnant by an underage resident. An external investigation confirmed a culture of silence and insufficient staff training. Four employees were fired. The scandal caused the resignation of Catherine Lemay, Quebec's Minister for Youth Protection and Rehabilitation. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

Suicide

A 2004 study found that teens in Quebec's child welfare and juvenile justice systems accounted for at least one third of all suicides in their age group in 1995 and 1996. 40% of these suicides occurred while the minor is still actively in the programs. ^{[8] [9] [10] [11]}

Riots

On October 13, 2024. approximately 10 minors at the Gouvernail youth detention centre attacked the guards and damaged equipment. More than 10 police vehicles responded and two teenagers were arrested. ^[12]

Escapes

At age 14 Eric Denis escaped from an unknown youth detention centre. ^[13]

See also

• List of youth detention centre incidents in Canada
• List of youth detention center incidents in Ontario

References