Adoption

There are 3 routes available to adopt a child:

  • International adoption
  • Regular adoption
  • Under the Banque mixte (Mixed Bank) Program

To apply for adoption in Québec, you must contact your local youth protection centre.

While you can adopt a child in Quebec, the fact remains though that very few children are given up voluntarily for adoption by their biological parents. Most adoptions of Quebec children are done through the mixed bank program. These are children who become eligible for adoption while in care, following a judgement by the Youth Division of the Court of Quebec. Families in the mixed bank program first act as host families for these children.

Another avenue available for Quebecers is international adoption.

How do I access the service?

International adoption 

For additional information or to register, visit the Secretariat à l'adoption Website. The Direction de la protection de la jeunesse is responsible for assessing applicants and ensuring the child’s integration until the end of the adoption process.

Regular adoption 

That is the most traditional form of adoption, with the biological parents agreeing to give up their child for adoption. Generally, in these cases, the newborn baby is immediately handed over to the adoptive parents chosen for him. 

The CISSS de l’Outaouais accepts and processes applications for people residing in the Outaouais region. To register, please contact:

Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais
Service Accueil adoption
105 Sacré-Cœur Blvd.
Gatineau, Quebec  J8X 1C5
Tel.: 819 771-2990, ext. 2135

Mixed Bank Program

Children referred through the mixed bank program have been placed under the care of the Direction de la protection de la jeunesse because their development and/or safety have been deemed to be compromised. They needed to be removed because their biological parents were facing significant personal difficulties making it impossible for them to meet their children’s needs. Given the potential damage likely to arise should the child be returned to his natural environment, we endeavour to provide him with a stable setting if returning to his natural environment becomes impossible. 

Children who need a family in order to ensure a decent future for themselves need parents:

  • Who are capable of listening and talking about difficult emotions (sorrow, sadness, anger, etc.)
  • Who accept and meet the child’s need to be nurtured.
  • Who realize that they cannot fix everything, no matter how much love they give (unconditional love).
  • Who agree to be supportive parents, that is, they are guides and provide solid support.

Did you know that...

In Quebec, very few children are voluntarily given up for adoption by their biological parents. Most adoptions of Quebec children are done through the Mixed Bank program. These are children who become eligible for adoption while in care, following a judgement by the Youth Division of the Court of Quebec.

Families in the mixed bank program first act as host families for the children.

What should I expect?

First, you will be invited to two information meetings, where you will receive answers to any questions you may have; the meetings will also help you make an informed decision. At these meetings, you will receive information regarding your adoption project.

If you really wish to follow through, you will then undergo a thorough psychosocial assessment to determine whether you have the qualities required to adopt a child.  

  • Have a healthy, stable and peaceful relationship as a couple
  • Show emotional maturity, balance and stability
  • Ability to assume the risk of the child going back to his birth family should his parents eventually become able to assume their parental responsibilities
  • Ability to deal with contingencies and to tolerate delays
  • Ability to love a child who is not your blood relation, and who is bearing the scars of a difficult early childhood
  • Ability to set aside your desire to adopt and prioritize the child’s needs
  • Accept the presence of, and regular contacts between, the child and his biological parents
  • Ability to understand, decode and accept inappropriate behaviours in the child
  • Ability to collaborate with various stakeholders involved with the child and his family

Applicants are usually met in their home environment and at a CISSS de l’Outaouais access point.

Once the application is approved, stakeholders specializing in adoption will support you throughout the adoption process.

Support for biological parents considering giving up their child for adoption

Where one or more parents is facing an unwanted pregnancy, adoption may seem like a solution that meets their needs and agrees with their values. The role of the stakeholder is to ensure that parents are provided with all the information they need in order to make a free and informed decision regarding adoption. If they wish to proceed with the adoption, then they will sign a consent.

If we receive a request, a team of stakeholders will clarify the adoption plan. The request may come directly from a parent or through a stakeholder. 

For more information, contact us at 1-800-567-6810 or at 819 776-6060.