Quebec has announced that it is suspending the opening of new files for international adoptions carried out through an approved organization.
Posted at 6:35 p.m.
Updated at 8:39 p.m.
“Child protection is at the heart of this decision,” underlines the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) in a press release sent on this subject on Wednesday. Files already open are not affected by the measure.
The Ministry specifies that the current system does not provide all the guarantees provided for by the Hague Convention, in particular to prevent the kidnapping, sale or trafficking of children. “An in-depth review is necessary,” he says.
William Côté, president of the board of directors of Enfants d’Orient et d’Ouest, one of the organizations approved by the Ministry, said he was “mixed” about this announcement.
It’s normal that there is this reflection. But generalizing the measure to all countries is an exaggeration.
William Côté, president of the board of directors of Enfants d’Orient et d’Ouest
“For example, there is nothing to doubt about the procedures in South Korea, which are closely monitored by the government,” he explains – himself having adopted two children in this country. “Same thing for Taiwan and Thailand. »
He also fears that this moratorium will be the final blow for certain organizations in difficulty, like his. “Many are considering closing their doors due to the reduction in the number of children who can be adopted internationally,” he emphasizes.
Usually, according to the Ministry’s website, apart from “certain exceptional situations”, the international adoption process must be carried out through an approved organization. Despite the moratorium, for these exceptional cases not requiring going through an approved organization, it will still be possible to submit a file. “But it’s very, very rare to do this,” underlines William Côté.
The Ministry recalls that several countries, such as France, have recently carried out similar suspensions to carry out investigations or reform their administrative, regulatory and legal framework.
All concerned persons with questions are invited to contact the Secretariat for International Children’s Services at the address: [email protected].
