De la recherche à l'impact - Coline Moreau (2022 Scholar)

The justice system often relies on well-established practices. But are these practices rooted in punishment or rehabilitation? And more importantly, should we rethink them to promote a more humane, reflective form of justice that’s better suited to real-world conditions?

In this episode of "De la recherche à l'impact," host Josiane Blanc speaks with Coline Moreau, a 2022 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar and PhD candidate in Criminology at the University of Ottawa. Together, they examine the shortcomings of the current justice system and explore potential reforms aimed at building a more humane justice system—one that centres on freedom and fundamental rights. Coline invites us to deeply reconsider the very notion of punishment by asking a fundamental question: What does it mean to punish in criminal law?

Throughout their conversation, we learn about the findings of Coline’s research, based on in-depth interviews that reveal judges who are uncertain, sometimes resistant, but often drawn to a more reflective approach. Josiane and Coline also discuss how academic research can have a tangible impact—far beyond publications—by fostering genuine dialogue between academia and the justice system.

Note: Canada uses both common law and civil law systems, with Quebec being the only province that applies civil law exclusively.

Listen now (in French only)!

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