Family and status of women

Registration of a birth

Every child born in Québec must be declared to the Directeur de l’état civil (Registrar of Civil Status), who will enter the birth in the register of civil status of Québec. Once registered, the child will be able to:

• establish his or her identity
• obtain a Health Insurance Card and a Social Insurance Number
• obtain a birth certificate and other civil status documents.

Parents¹ are required to declare the birth of their child within 30 days following the birth. The following two documents are required to register a birth in the civil status register:

• the Attestation of Birth, completed and signed by the person who assisted in the delivery
• the Declaration of Birth, completed and signed by the child’s parents before a witness.

Financial assistance for the family

Various financial aid programs exist to help parents meet their family responsibilities:

• child assistance, including an allowance for a disabled child
• reduced contribution program for children in daycare
• Canada’s child tax benefit
• maternity benefits
• parental insurance.

Generally, eligibility to these programs varies according to family income, number and age of children, personal or family situation, and other criteria. To find out if you are eligible for these programs, contact the appropriate organization.

Generally, child assistance and the Canada child tax benefit are paid to the mother.

Early childhood and school day care services

In Québec, it is forbidden to leave children under 12 years of age alone at home unattended. However, it is sometimes hard for parents who work or study to manage both work and family responsibilities. To help these parents, the Government of Québec has set up a network of childcare resources, including early childcare centres and day cares.

However, the demand is high and waiting lists are long. Parents often have to wait one or two years before obtaining a space in one of these facilities. It is a good idea to register your child in the first days following your arrival in Québec.

Most regulated day care services offer reduced contribution places. Some families may be reimbursed part of their day care fees or be totally exempt. To find out more, contact the day care centre you have chosen or the Ministère de la Famille et des Aînés.

To learn more School day cares Leaves and absences for family reasons Social services for children Domestic violence Women at work Marriage Senior citizens

Useful links

• Canada Revenue Agency
  Canada Child Tax Benefit Application Form
• Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse
  Information on the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (including questions about discrimination, harassment and the exploitation of elderly or disabled persons) and on the Director of Youth Protection (DPJ).
• Directeur de l’état civil
  Information on registering a birth and on civil status acts
• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
  Maternity benefits (Individuals section)
• Ministère de la Famille et des Aînés
  All family support programs
• Régie des rentes du Québec
  International agreements regarding social security

¹ Unless otherwise indicated, the term "parents" includes couples of the same or opposite sex, reflecting changes introduced by the Act instituting civil unions and establishing new rules of filiation.