"Announcement for Anne-Sophie and the Group"
In the aftermath of the Laval daycare attack in 2024, Quebec authorities have been reviewing how psychotherapy and counseling services are provided and funded for secondary victims, such as siblings, impacted by violent crimes. This move aims to improve access and coverage for these individuals, who have often been overlooked in the conversation around mental health support for victims and their families.
A notable case that has brought attention to this issue is that of Anne-Sophie, a survivor of the Laval daycare attack in 2022. Her mother, Marie-Christine Cloutier, expressed concerns about her daughter's limited psychotherapy coverage in an op-ed published in La Presse on April 8, 2022.
In a significant development, Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister of Justice, has issued a directive that increases psychotherapy coverage for victims of criminal acts, including Anne-Sophie. This decision follows public concerns raised after the Laval daycare attack, which highlighted the need for better mental health support for victims and their families.
However, as of August 2025, no formal announcement or policy update specific to expanded psychotherapy coverage for siblings of children killed in criminal acts in Quebec has been made. It is recommended that individuals seeking the most current information on this issue consult Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services or local victim assistance programs.
Marie-Christine Cloutier and her family, who moved out of Laval after the tragedy but still maintain connections with friends in the Sainte-Rose neighborhood, had been preparing to wage a public campaign to push for more coverage for Anne-Sophie when Parliament resumes in the fall.
Anne-Sophie is entitled to only 30 sessions of psychotherapy, which her mother found inadequate. During a meeting with Minister Jolin-Barrette, Marie-Christine was informed that the regime of 30 sessions covered by IVAC for Anne-Sophie would remain in place, but if a professional deems additional sessions necessary, IVAC would cover them.
This decision by Minister Jolin-Barrette, who has always shown empathy towards victims, translates into action that could have a significant impact on the lives of those affected by violent crimes and their families. Psychotherapy can help individuals name their pain and start functioning again when dealing with trauma, making it crucial for those in need to have access to these services.
Readers can find columns by Pierre Foglia, such as "Suit and Tie" and "Recipe for Happiness," in various publications, including page A5 of a certain publication. Additionally, Marie-Christine Cloutier and Pierre-Luc Gauthier, Anne-Sophie's parents, have published an open letter about their daughter's limited psychotherapy coverage after the Laval daycare attack.
In a positive turn of events, Marie-Christine Cloutier's fight for better psychotherapy coverage for her daughter and other families in similar situations has resulted in a decision that could pave the way for improved mental health support for victims of violent crimes in Quebec.
- The policy-and-legislation enacted by Simon Jolin-Barrette, the Minister of Justice, has expanded psychotherapy coverage for victims of criminal acts, which includes Anne-Sophie, a survivor of the Laval daycare attack.
- General-news outlets and some specific publications like La Presse have featured columns about the ongoing battle for mental-health support, including Marie-Christine Cloutier's open letter about limited psychotherapy coverage for her daughter.
- In the wake of the Laval daycare attack, crime-and-justice cases have prompted a call for justice and policy changes in providing health-and-wellness services, including mental-health support and therapies-and-treatments for victims and their families.
- Access to new and ongoing psychotherapy sessions for victims of criminal acts, such as siblings of children killed in car-accidents or violent crimes, is still a debated issue in Quebec, with no formal announcements or policy updates as of August 2025.
- The fight for better mental health support, led by families like Marie-Christine Cloutier's, could influence future policy-and-legislation in Quebec, potentially improving access to critical psychotherapy services for those impacted by crime-and-justice incidents.
