True or False? Four Legal Facts About Fatherhood

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To mark the Semaine québécoise de la paternité (Quebec paternity week), which ends on Father’s Day, here’s a short quiz about some of the important aspects of paternity. Refresh your knowledge – or learn more – about things such as time off work, the declaration of birth, and children’s education. 

True or False? Four Legal Facts About Fatherhood

Fathers have the right to five weeks of paternity leave after the birth of a child.

Correct answer

Fathers have the right to a maximum of five weeks of paternity leave. This must start no earlier than the child’s date of birth and end no later than 78 weeks after. This paternity leave can also be followed by parental leave, which the parents can share.  
 
To learn more, see our article on the topic.

Wrong answer

Fathers have the right to a maximum of five weeks of paternity leave. This must start no earlier than the child’s date of birth and end no later than 78 weeks after. This paternity leave can also be followed by parental leave, which the parents can share.  
 
To learn more, see our article on the topic.  

All fathers have parental obligations once a child is born.

Wrong answer

It’s actually filiation — the legal connection between a child and a parent – that creates parental obligations. Once filiation is established, the father must assume his parental obligations. Both parents sign a declaration of birth which makes it possible to register a child with the Registrar of Civil Status and have a birth certificate issued. The birth certificate identifies the child by name and provides proof of filiation. 

Correct answer

It’s actually filiation — the legal connection between a child and a parent – that creates parental obligations. Once filiation is established, the father must assume his parental obligations. Both parents sign a declaration of birth which makes it possible to register a child with the Registrar of Civil Status and have a birth certificate issued. The birth certificate identifies the child by name and provides proof of filiation.

A child can officially have two fathers.

Correct answer

Two men in a relationship can adopt a child or become parents through surrogacy. The names of the two fathers will appear on the birth certificate. The same goes for two women who form a couple. 

Wrong answer

A child could be adopted by two men who form a couple. The names of the two fathers will appear on the birth certificate. The same goes for two women who form a couple.

A father without custody has no say in decisions regarding his child.

Wrong answer

A parent – whether father or mother – who does not have custody still has many rights regarding the child, including parental authority. This means the parent with custody must consult the other parent regarding all important decisions affecting the child, such as where the child will live and what school they will attend. 

Correct answer

A parent – whether father or mother – who does not have custody still has many rights regarding the child, including parental authority. This means the parent with custody must consult the other parent regarding all important decisions affecting the child, such as where the child will live and what school they will attend.