Meet the people of ADR Education

Sylvie Matteau, Associate & Former Partner

For over 24 years Sylvie has been working with individuals and groups in addressing conflict constructively. An attorney with a Masters degree in international Law (McGill University), her work has taken her to international destinations over the years.
Sylvie’s interest in the field of conflict resolution ignited when she was invited to join the Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security in 1984. A few years later, she established one of the first professional mediation services in Montreal where she mediated and facilitated a variety of disputes; civil, family, workplace, business and public related.
Sylvie enjoys observing the enthusiasm of clients and workshop participants when experimenting with new tools and acquiring skills that will enhance their abilities and empower them to productively manage conflict in their environment and workplace. She lectured at a business post-graduate program at the University of Sherbrooke and presented at numerous conferences and venues including McGill University, Interaction conferences, the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, the Cambodia Labour Council and recently the International Ombudsman Association.
In 2003 Sylvie was appointed Vice-Chairperson of the Public Service Labour Relations Board where she also acted as adjudicator and mediator. Since 2006, she has been assisting organizations at the federal level with the review of the policy on  the prevention harassment in the workplace and the development of Standards of Practice for federal conflict management systems. She also assisted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Health Canada in enhancing their Informal Conflict Management program.
Sylvie has now transferred this experience to her renewed coaching, consulting, arbitration, investigation, facilitation and mediation practice, continuing her long-standing partnership with ADR Education.



The presenter showed skill in weaving between theory and practice... from theoretical examples to sensitive hot topics.

ADR's approach is exceptional. They are able to take a complex subject and distill it into digestible components

Teaching methods are fantastic!

The team was effective. Our case was set for a two week trial but was mediated in one day!

I've seen a lot of manuals for this kind of thing in my time, and this one is by far the best.

Very accomplished presenters excited about what they are teaching...easy to be with and very approachable.

Excellent facilitating. Keeping on track, taking control at the appropriate times.

For our staff to see how the skills can be used specifically in their work makes them take notice.

Your ability to customize the course so it was directly relevant to the work we do made it all the more useful.