Could Mediation Help in Quebec?

Quebec student representatives and the provincial government are talking, which is generally a good sign. The province is reviewing the students' latest offer (see Quebec Student Protest Talks Moves Onto Fourth Day, Province To Mull Over Student's Offer) and all eyes are on the province.  Many believe that the pressure is now squarely on the province to resolve this dispute as the summer tourist season approaches.  The students, on the other hand, are out of school and have the whole summer to negotiate.   So, is a resolution close at hand or not?

Many observers are calling for mediation. Thierry Bériault, president of the Quebec Institute of Mediation and Arbitration (IMAQ) suggested mediation weeks ago. And despite the ongoing student protests and government
clamp-down, Thierry is hopeful mediation could still work but only if both sides commit to the process voluntarily.

The Quebec Bar Association has also joined the call for mediation.

Could mediation work to resolve an intractable conflict that started as a dispute over tuition hikes but has grown to include broader issues like fundamental rights (see Quebec student protests aren’t about tuition anymore)?

On May 22, 2012, CBC Radio aired nationally, on its show The Current, an excellent report on the possible impact that mediation could have on bringing this dispute to a resolution.  Mr. Bériault is interviewed for the report.  As well, Stephen Drymer, head of the mediation and arbitration practice at Norton Rose Canada LLP in Montreal, and Michel Picher, past president of the National Academy of Arbitrators, engage in an interesting in-studio discussion about the posssible benefits of mediation in this case and how the process should be designed in order to have the best chance of success.   Here's the link to the podcast of The Current's report.