Family Policies in Quebec and the Rest of Canada: Implications for Fertility, Child-Care, Women’s Paid Work, and Child Development Indicators

Abstract

Given its unique demographic situation, and its desire to be in control of its own destiny, Quebec has evolved family policies that differ considerably from those of the rest of Canada. Quebec’s tradition of civil law, in contrast to common law in the rest of the country, has meant that there was already a tradition of alternative forms of marriage in Quebec. The extent of cohabitation, along with the greater policy attention to family questions, has brought about a more Nordic model there in contrast to a more liberal model in the rest of the country. Attitudes differ considerably between Quebec and other provinces in terms of child-care (since 1997) and parental leave (since 2006). The Nordic model has helped Quebec to avoid particularly low fertility. Its child-care policy has been designed both to improve child welfare and to enhance women’s opportunities in employment. Comparisons to other provinces indicate that women’s paid work has benefited, but child development indicators are less positive. It may be that universal programs do not permit as much focus on disadvantaged children, where early intervention has a larger impact.