Adoption in Quebec: what to know?

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 11:16

For many, the desire to be a parent extends far beyond that of childbirth. It goes beyond genetic considerations and turns into an ardent will, that of accompanying and guiding a child throughout his life.

In collective thinking, we often and wrongly believe that it is impossible to adopt a child born in Quebec. Nevertheless, it is not the case. The province has its share of children who are orphaned, abandoned and born to parents who do not assume their parental responsibilities or who have intentionally given up their parental rights. In short, the needs are numerous and glaring.

In Canada, adoption falls under provincial and territorial jurisdiction, which means that each province is responsible for the legislation and management of adoptions in its territory. Here in Quebec, "adoption services are the responsibility of integrated he alth and social services centers offering protection and rehabilitation services for young people with adjustment difficulties and their families" (Gouvernement du Québec, 2018). In short, it is the directorate of youth protection that provides the services necessary toadopting a child.

Regular Adoption or Mixed Bank

Besides international adoption, people who wish to adopt have two other choices: regular adoption or adoption through the blended bank program.

Regular adoption

When the biological mother - or in some cases both biological parents - dies, abandons or renounces the exercise of her parental rights, the child is placed for adoption. In this case, the so-called adoptive parents have no contact with the biological parents, "[…] unless one of them wishes to meet the adopters before entrusting the child" (CIUSS-Capitale Nationale, 2019).

Adoption in a mixed bank

Here, we find children who are already under the protection of the DPJ and entrusted to foster families. They are mostly between 0 and 5 years old and come from families whose “parents of origin […] are grappling with personal difficulties which prevent them from ensuring their care and education)” (CIUSS-Capitale Nationale, 2019). For them, “the prognosis for returning home is grim […], but they can be welcomed into a permanent foster family and possibly be adopted” (Centre Jeunesse de la Montérégie, 2019).

Troubled Pasts

Adoption is a legal act, of course, but it is above all one of generosity. Welcoming a child into his home, into his life, knowing full well that in some cases, all the love in the world will not be able to repair the wounds and erase the past,it's beautiful and it's big, but you have to be solid.

These children, for the most part, have lived painful stories whose stigmas can be reflected in their physical or mental condition. Adopters who choose this path must be aware of this and, moreover, be prepared to accept that these young people still see their biological parent(s).

Patience, open-mindedness and a certain ease in decoding the emotions and the hidden meaning of infantile behaviors are some of the qualities that the adopter should possess, in the best interest of all parties involved.

A wait of 3 months to 8 years

Regardless of the preferred option, the process and the wait can seem endless. For example, at the moment, the waiting time to welcome a child who comes from the regular bank is 7 to 8 years. For the mixed bank, the deadlines can range over a period of 3 to 24 months.

How to adopt

Here, according to the Government of Quebec website, are the steps prior to adoption.

1. You must first register with the CISSS or CIUSSS adoption service.

2. It is necessary to participate in an information session whose purpose is to present the issues related to the two types of adoption that concern us in this article, to answer the questions of the participants and to help the adopters to turn to one either of the adoption types.

3. Adopters must submit to an assessmentto determine their ability to welcome a child “and to provide him with an environment of belonging that meets his needs”.

4. Matching a child with prospective adoptive parents

5. Placement of the child with the adoptive parents following a court order

6. Adoption judgment

Keep Informing

This article is intended as a summary of the types and processes of adoption in the province of Quebec. To find out more, we invite you to consult one or other of the sources cited at the bottom of the page.

Government of Quebec, 2018. Adoption in Quebec. Retrieved from

CIUSS - Capitale Nationale, 2019. Adopt a child. Retrieved from

Centre Jeunesse de la Montérégie, 2019. Quebec adoption. Retrieved from