Death of youth protection workers | The APTS has no words to describe the grief

February 15, 2021

Montréal – The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) expresses its support for youth protection workers across Québec following the death, last week, of two youth protection workers employed by the Centre jeunesse de Montréal.

“The death of our two colleagues caused a shock wave among all of the people employed by the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal,” says Julie Houle, president of the APTS local executive at the CIUSSS. “We want to express our solidarity with all of our members who are struggling to cope with this tragedy. We want them to know that there are resources available to support them during this extremely difficult time, and we also want to know that every measure to support teams and individuals is being appropriately deployed by the CIUSSS.”

“The loss of these young women is immensely sad,” adds Caroline Letarte-Simoneau, APTS provincial representative at the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. “We extend our sympathies to their loved ones, their friends and their colleagues. Youth workers are doing crucially important work that is extremely difficult on a psychological level. They must be given the help they need – help that is commensurate with the emotional impact of their job.”

“This is a mourning period for the APTS family as a whole,” says APTS president Andrée Poirier. “We are sending waves of love to youth workers all over Québec. We need to come together in solidarity right now. Let’s take care of each other. We owe this to our deceased colleagues and to all of those who take their work to heart as they look after the well-being of children – and all Quebecers.”

Union representatives will be present at a vigil held in Montréal tonight to pay tribute to the youth workers who died last week. The event will start at 5.30 p.m. in front of the Centre de protection de l'enfance et de la jeunesse Maisonneuve Est at 1001 boulevard De Maisonneuve Est. Another vigil will be held at the same time in front of the Centre de protection de l'enfance et de la jeunesse Henri-Bourassa Est at 1161 boulevard Henri-Bourassa Est, also in Montréal.

Other vigils will be held tonight in other regions, in solidarity with employees of the Centre jeunesse de Montréal. It’s important to know that resources can be reached at any time by calling Québec’s suicide prevention line at 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553).

The APTS
The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) represents a total of 60,000 members who play a key role in ensuring that health and social services institutions run smoothly. Our members provide a wide range of services for the population as a whole, including diagnostic, rehabilitation, nutrition, psychosocial intervention, clinical support, and prevention services.