Becoming a parent
Explore the different options available to you for starting or expanding your family. We provide information and guidance to support you at every step.
On this page
Pregnancy
Information related to pregnancy
To find information on pregnancy, sexual health, preconception health and more, refer to Pregnancy.
Guide to a healthy pregnancy
Discover essential tips and resources to support you every step of the way for a safe and healthy journey. Refer to Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy for more information.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy in Canada is when a person carries and gives birth to a baby for someone else who can’t have one on their own. Canada’s approach to surrogacy is built on trust, care, and a desire to help people create families. The law says surrogates can only be paid back for expenses related to pregnancy. A legal agreement must be signed by all people involved.
Adoption
Learn about adoption processes across provinces and territories and get the information you need to navigate each step with confidence, no matter where you are in Canada.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
International (or intercountry) adoption:
- is a process that recognizes a person or couple as the legal and permanent parent(s) of a child from another country
- complies with the laws of the parent’s country and the country where the child is coming from
For all international adoptions, you must complete 2 processes:
Find out which adoption authority to contact if you want to adopt a child from abroad.
Avoid adoption issues and delays: Intercountry adoptions are very complex because they must follow laws set out by:
- provincial and territorial governments
- the Government of Canada
- the country of adoption
- international conventions, such as the Hague Convention
Sometimes, prospective parents try to speed up the process by taking matters into their own hands. This can delay the adoption and cause issues with the citizenship or immigration process.
Although the vast majority of adoptions progress smoothly, adoptive parents should use caution throughout the process.
Page details
- Date modified: