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DPJ: how to report a situation

The DPJ (Director of Youth Protection, Quebec's youth protection service) takes reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone, at your region's number. According to Québec.ca, you only need reasonable grounds to believe that a child's security or development is or may be in danger: you do not have to be certain. Find your region's DPJ number below. A child is in immediate danger? Call 911.

Checked November 2, 2026.

Your region's DPJ number

Choose your region or type the name of your municipality. The tool gives the number of the DPJ that serves it. On a phone, tap the number to call.

The tool requires JavaScript. Every number is on the Québec.ca page « Coordonnées du DPJ ».

Montreal's English-speaking families are served by Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, at 514 935-6196.

When to report

Section 38 of the Youth Protection Act lists the situations where a child's security or development is considered in danger. Québec.ca lists them as follows:

Two other situations may also be considered as endangering a child: running away as well as a child left behind by the parents after a placement under the Act respecting health services and social services. When in doubt, Québec.ca invites you to call the DPJ for information: the worker who answers can guide you.

Who must report

Under section 134, a person who must report and fails to do so commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $250 to $2,500.

How to report

You report by phone, at your region's DPJ number. Québec.ca lists the information you will be asked for: your name and contact details, anything that identifies the child (name, age, address, school or childcare) and what you know about the situation. You can report even if you cannot answer every question. Section 44 forbids revealing your identity without your consent. Section 43 adds that a person cannot be sued for a report made in good faith.

What happens after a report

  1. Receiving the report. The DPJ analyzes the situation and decides whether to retain the report. Section 45.1 requires it to tell the person who reported of its decision.
  2. Assessment. If the report is retained, the DPJ assesses the child's situation. In an emergency, it may take immediate protection measures for up to 48 hours.
  3. Orientation. If the child's security or development is in danger, the DPJ proposes a short-term agreement (up to 60 days), an agreement on voluntary measures (up to 12 months) or refers the case to the court.
  4. Applying the measures. A worker supports the child and the parents under an intervention plan.
  5. Review. The DPJ reviews the situation regularly, whether the child is placed or not.
  6. End of the intervention. It ends when the situation is no longer endangering or when the child turns 18, among other cases.
  7. Referral to help resources. The DPJ informs the family of the services in its area.

This guide explains the law and the official steps. It replaces neither the DPJ nor legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DPJ phone number?

Each region has its own number, open 24 hours a day. The tool on this page gives yours, from the list published on Québec.ca. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

Is a report to the DPJ confidential?

Yes. Section 44 of the Youth Protection Act forbids revealing the identity of the person who reports without their consent. The DPJ still asks for your name and contact details.

Can I be sued for reporting to the DPJ?

No, when the report is made in good faith. Section 43 of the Act protects the person who reports. You do not need to be certain: reasonable grounds to believe are enough.

Who has to report to the DPJ?

Professionals who work with children, employees of institutions, teachers, childcare staff and police officers, under section 39. For sexual and physical abuse, everyone must report.

What happens after a report to the DPJ?

The DPJ analyzes the report and decides whether to retain it. If it is retained, the DPJ assesses the child's situation, then chooses measures if the child's security or development is in danger. It tells the person who reported whether the report was retained.

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