The Top 25 Most Influential 2019 winner
Quebec Justice Minister, Quebec City
Quebec Justice Minister Sonia LeBel is overseeing plans for the possible creation of a new division in the Court of Quebec to handle cases involving sexual assault and domestic violence. The special court was proposed by Parti Québécois MNA Véronique Hivon, and Premier François Legault has suggested he is open to the idea. LeBel spent 20 years working as the director of criminal and penal prosecutions, specializing in drug-related and organized crime. She has initiated public consultations on family law reform to discuss parenthood, conjugal relationships and relationships with step-parents. With the consultations, LeBel is following up on the 82 recommendations from a 2015 report on family law in Quebec. LeBel rose to prominence as chief prosecutor in the Charbonneau Commission. She is a member of the Coalition Avenir Quéebec.