Quebec Schools Must Support Student Parents

Summary#

This bill would require Quebec colleges, universities, and some other schools to adopt a clear study‑family‑work balance policy. The goal is to help students who are parents or caregivers (people who look after a family member who depends on them) stay in school and succeed.

• Applies to universities, CEGEPs, private colleges, adult education and vocational centers, and several specialized schools; the minister can add others.
• Each school must adopt a stand‑alone policy within 6 months and put it into action within 12 months after the law takes effect.
• The policy must create clear student statuses (such as “student parent,” “student caregiver,” and “deemed enrolled/full‑time”) and set simple, fair accommodations.
• Student parents must have parental/adoption leave at least equal to Quebec labour standards; caregivers can, in some cases, postpone exams.
• Schools must offer an easy‑to‑find hub for information and services, including links to nearby childcare.
• A permanent, gender‑balanced committee with students and staff must develop, review (at least every 5 years), and monitor the policy.
• Schools must report yearly on how the policy is used; the minister can require more info, publish who has a policy, and step in if a school does not comply.

What it means for you#

• Students who are parents

  • You could take parental or adoption leave from your studies without hurting your academic progress.
  • You may be able to keep a “deemed full‑time” status at your school during leave or a lighter course load, based on set criteria.
  • You should find a clear contact point and services to help with schedules, referrals, and childcare options.

• Students who are caregivers

  • You could get simple accommodations, like postponing an exam in certain situations tied to your caregiving duties.
  • You can be formally recognized as a “student caregiver,” with access to the policy’s supports.

• All students (including interns)

  • Interns can use the policy’s benefits where they apply.
  • You will be told about the policy when you are admitted, and you can find it easily online or on campus.
  • You may see more training and awareness activities that make classrooms and labs more flexible and understanding.

• Faculty and staff

  • You will have clear roles and responsibilities for handling accommodation requests.
  • You may receive training on how to support student parents and caregivers and how to apply the policy consistently.

• Schools and program leaders

  • You must set up a permanent, gender‑balanced committee with student members to design, update, and track the policy.
  • You must group related services in one known, accessible place and share information on nearby services like childcare.
  • You must collect and report data (for example, how many students use the statuses and accommodations) using methods the minister sets.
  • You may partner with other schools or outside groups to offer services.
  • If you do not comply, the minister can impose follow‑up measures or have a third party do the work at your expense.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Helps student parents and caregivers stay in school and graduate by making rules clear and supports easy to find.
• Reduces stress with simple, predictable accommodations like parental leave and exam delays when needed.
• Aligns school life with well‑known parental leave standards, making treatment fairer across programs and institutions.
• Creates one-stop access to services and childcare information, which saves time for students.
• Data and public reporting improve accountability and spread good practices across the system.
• Gender‑balanced committees and real consultation ensure the policy reflects lived experience.

Opponents' View#

• Adds administrative work and costs for schools, which may be hard for smaller centers and specialized programs.
• One policy framework may not fit very intensive or hands‑on programs; frequent accommodations could disrupt schedules or labs.
• Collecting and reporting personal data on parents and caregivers could raise privacy concerns if not handled carefully.
• Ministerial powers to intervene and charge costs to schools may feel heavy‑handed.
• Promising easier access to childcare is difficult where spaces are already scarce, which could create expectations schools cannot meet.