FAMILY

Since its establishment in 1966, the Fédération des femmes du Québec (FFQ) has been at the forefront of defending women’s rights and promoting gender equality. Over the years, our efforts have covered a multitude of areas, particularly concerning the family.

Advocacy for Maternity Leave and a More Inclusive Parental Insurance Scheme

In 1978, FFQ began actively advocating for the first maternity leaves in Quebec as part of the Front commun sur le congé de maternité. Then, from the 1990s onwards, we campaigned for a more inclusive, generous, and tailored Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) that addresses the realities and needs of Quebec families. We carried this demand forward with the Collectif 8 mars until the adoption of the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) in 2006, a major milestone for integrating women into the labor market.

Adoption of Significant Legislation for Women’s Rights

FFQ also played a decisive role in the adoption of various significant legislation, such as the Act to facilitate the payment of support and the Act instituting civil unions. We also opposed any changes to the Divorce Act that would have introduced an automatic shared custody regime.

Call for a Public Debate on Family Law Reform

In 2016, FFQ issued a call for an in-depth public debate on family law reform and advocated for new legislation that would consider the diversity of family structures.

The Shortage of Childcare Spaces: A Major Feminist Issue

More recently, FFQ has recognized the shortage of childcare spaces as a major feminist issue and supported Ma place au travail in its efforts to provide emergency financial assistance to parents who have exhausted their QPIP benefits without having a childcare space for their child.

Please Note: The definitive text of our Stances is available in French only. The English translation is provided strictly for reference.

2023

THAT the shortage of childcare spaces be considered a feminist issue within FFQ;

THAT FFQ support the implementation of actions for organizing a meeting with the Secrétariat à la condition féminine, particularly with the administrators of Ma Place au Travail;

THAT FFQ actively participate in mobilizations to ensure emergency financial assistance is granted to parents who have exhausted their Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits and still lack childcare spaces for their infant;

THAT FFQ contribute to the valorization of the early childhood educator profession;

THAT FFQ actively participate in mobilizations for the development of spaces in early childhood educational services.

2016

THAT FFQ advocate for new family law legislation that ensures:

Recognition of the diversity of family compositions;
Prevention of women and children bearing the burden of impoverishment inherent in separation;
Enable women to leave violent situations safely;
Equal treatment of women regardless of their status and identities;
Consistency between tax law and civil law to ensure fairness.

THAT FFQ request a gender-differentiated analysis before any legislation;

THAT FFQ call for a broad public debate on family law reform.

2014

THAT FFQ prepare a reflection and proposal for a position on the legal framework of couple and family relationships.

2009

THAT FFQ actively participate in the fight against Bill C-422, which proposes amendments to the Divorce Act and aims to establish an automatic shared custody regime.

2007

THAT FFQ coordinate various actions surrounding the upcoming Quebec and Canadian election campaigns to advocate for a feminist perspective, particularly on family-related issues.