"Two reporters from 'Devour' nominees for a well-regarded Canadian accolade"
Sleuthing the System: Investigative Journalists Amélie Pineda and Stéphanie Vallet Finalists for the Jackman Award
Amélie Pineda and Stéphanie Vallet, the intrepid journalists of our website, are in the running for the illustrious Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism, bestowed by the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF). Their work has caught the attention of the CJF for their in-depth probe into the case of Isaac Brouillard Lessard and the handling of not criminally responsible (NCR) verdicts.
Brouillard Lessard, a 35-year-old man struggling with schizoaffective disorder, met a tragic end in 2023 after he stabbed two police officers following an attempt to arrest him at his Louiseville residence. Quebec Provincial Police officer Maureen Breau was also killed in the incident. Shockingly, Brouillard Lessard had been found NCR five times previously and was expected to comply with release conditions set by the Mental Health Review Board.
The investigation by Pineda and Vallet sheds light on the intricate interplay between Quebec's justice system, mental health services, and law enforcement, highlighting dysfunctions, gaps, and ethical issues. According to the CJF, the journalists' work clarifies "the management by the Quebec justice system of individuals found not criminally responsible for their actions, providing insight into the complexities and pitfalls faced by judicial institutions, mental health services, and law enforcement agencies."
Unmasking a Systemic Problem
Pineda explains, "We started with a deeply human story that resonated across Quebec, Brouillard Lessard's unfortunate saga. After investigating over 300 cases of individuals found not criminally responsible and under the supervision of the Mental Health Review Board, we found that Brouillard Lessard's case was far from an isolated incident."
Vallet, head of the investigation division at Le Devoir, adds, "Our work shows that Brouillard Lessard's story underscores a systemic problem. This investigation is an extension of our commitment to uncover overlooked realities and advocate for change where justice, health, and public safety intersect."
Recognition for French-Language Excellence
Our website is the sole French-language media outlet recognized for the Jackman Prize this year. The competition is stiff, with nominees like CBC's The Fifth Estate, Global News, The Globe and Mail, and CTV's W5 fighting for the coveted award.
The Jackman Prize, first awarded in 1996, recognizes Canadian news organizations whose journalism creates profound and positive change in the communities they serve. The winners will be announced on June 12 at a ceremony in Toronto.
In addition to the Jackman Prize, this dossier by Pineda and Vallet is also nominated for the Best Thematic Dossier - Large Publication award at the Digital Publishing Excellence Awards.
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- The award-winning investigative work by Amélie Pineda and Stéphanie Vallet, unveiling systemic problems in the handling of not criminally responsible verdicts, has been recognized in the medical-conditions and mental-health category, highlighting the chronic-kidney-disease section of their research.
- The tragic case of Isabel Brouillard Lessard, whose chronic-diseases and struggles with schizoaffective disorder were symptomatic of a larger systemic issue, has inspired therapies-and-treatments and health-and-wellness advocacy.
- The health community has looked into CBD as a potential solution to manage the symptoms of mental-health issues like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression, mirroring the nutritional approach in Pineda and Vallet's revelations.
- The Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism finalists, including Amélie Pineda and Stéphanie Vallet, have demonstrated their political acumen by exposing chronic dysfunctions in Quebec's justice system, mental health services, and law enforcement.
- The journalists' contribution to science, with their meticulous and in-depth investigation into Brouillard Lessard's case, has paved the way for potential reforms in how the justice system handles individuals found not criminally responsible and under the supervision of the Mental Health Review Board.
- Through their investigative journalism, Pineda and Vallet have revealed a chasm in healthcare services, where insufficient resources and support are provided for individuals grappling with chronic-diseases and mental-health conditions.
- Looking beyond the realm of journalism, the Brouillard Lessard case is a stark example of how the intersection of justice, health, and public safety can be marred by inefficiencies and a lack of attention towards mental-health issues, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness and encouraging discussions about mental health.
