TROIS-RIVIERES, Que. - A prominent Quebec lawyer says $170,000 will be offered to anyone who comes forward with information on the whereabouts of a girl who went missing nearly two years ago.

Cedrika Provencher was last seen on July 31, 2007, and Quebec provincial police have had little in the way of leads into her mysterious disappearance.

Guy Bertrand said Tuesday he is getting involved and is acting as an independent lawyer with no link to police or the Crown prosecutor's office.

He said he has no legal contract to represent the Provencher family.

"Cedrika's family also understands that it will be impossible for me to divulge any information that is revealed to me in the framework of my mission," Bertrand told a news conference in Provencher's hometown of Trois-Rivieres, about halfway between Montreal and Quebec City.

He says anyone who provides him with information will not be handed over to authorities, citing professional privilege.

"I am certain that among those of you watching today ... there is someone somewhere who knows something about Cedrika's kidnapping and wants to talk," Bertrand said.

"But you don't know what to do or who to confide in. You don't even know if you have rights and what those rights are."

Bertrand warned that no one is immune to prosecution and he would not be able to defend anyone who is eventually charged.

An earlier $100,000 reward for information about the girl, who was nine when she disappeared, did not yield any information.

Since then, various donors had made $100,000 available and the Provencher family has raised another $70,000.

Bertrand said he will gather information over the next few months and has set a Sept. 30 deadline to find the girl.

The outspoken veteran constitutional lawyer, who was a founding member of the Parti Quebecois, said he will administer the money that has been raised as a reward and will eventually determine whether it should be paid out.

Bertrand said he was approached several times by Cedrika's father, Martin Provencher, and her paternal grandfather, Henri Provencher, to help.

He decided to intervene on humanitarian grounds and is offering his services for free.

The girl's father and grandfather attended the news conference and said all they want is Cedrika to return home.

Martin Provencher, her father, says Bertrand's mandate has the blessing of those who raised the $100,000.

"I am telling you that the donors are aware of this mission and have accepted it," Provencher said.

"Everybody wants this case settled."