Quebec Court Affirms Multi-Parent Rights, Approves Adoption by Polyamorous Trio

Quebec, Canada – A groundbreaking legal decision has seen three men in a polyamorous relationship officially granted parental rights to a three-year-old girl, marking the first such adoption for an all-male trio in the province. The adoption, finalized around September 27, 2025, follows a comprehensive home study and court approval process, reflecting a significant shift in Canadian family law.

The development stems from an April 2025 ruling by the Quebec Superior Court, which declared that the province's Civil Code, previously limiting filiation to a maximum of two parents, was unconstitutional. This ruling mandated an amendment to the Civil Code within 12 months to ensure children in "multiparent" families receive the same rights and protections as those in traditional two-parent households. Youth Protection Services in Quebec acknowledged the unique family structure, stating, > "[Quebec's Youth Protection Services] learned that we are a little different because we're three, but we're not different from any other family."

While two of the men are officially registered as the child's legal parents, the third is actively pursuing full legal recognition under Quebec's updated family laws. This legal framework applies when the "parental project" is established before the child's conception, ensuring all individuals involved in the decision to raise a child together can be legally recognized. However, the news has drawn strong reactions, with some critics expressing dismay. Tweet author Collin Rugg described the situation as "Appalling and evil. This should be illegal."

The decision has ignited intense debate, with conservative commentators and faith-based groups warning of potential societal implications, while proponents emphasize the importance of legally recognizing diverse family structures for the child's well-being. This move aligns Quebec with other Canadian provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, which have previously enacted legislation or seen court rulings allowing for more than two legal parents. For instance, Ontario's All Families Are Equal Act, 2016, allows for up to four legal parents, reflecting a broader trend towards modernizing family law to encompass evolving definitions of family.