Quebec throuple adopts young girl despite legal limits on parental recognition

Three men in Quebec have formally adopted a three-year-old girl after years of effort, though the province does not legally recognize more than two parents, reports CTV.

Eric LeBlanc, Jonathan Bédard, and Justin Maheu—who live together as a “throuple” — said they had been trying to become parents for seven years. They were finally matched with a child through Quebec Youth Protection Services (DPJ) after a long evaluation process and two years of fostering.

“She’s perfect,” LeBlanc told local media, calling the girl curious, energetic, and playful.

The trio explained that their first attempt at adoption was rejected because Quebec’s civil code only allows for two legal parents. With the help of a lawyer, they approached a second agency, which accepted their application. “Through that process they learned that we are a little different because we’re three, but we’re not different from any other family,” LeBlanc said.

While Ontario and British Columbia allow more than two legal parents, Quebec law does not. A judge last April ordered the province to change its civil code within a year, calling the two-parent rule “unconstitutional.” The government has appealed, and the Justice Ministry has declined further comment while the case proceeds.

LeBlanc admitted the family is bracing for a possible Supreme Court battle. “We’re saddened from the fact that we’re not backed by our own government,” he said.

Because Quebec doesn’t officially recognize all three men as parents, they have had to make private arrangements to divide responsibilities and plan for the child’s future. Despite the legal hurdles, LeBlanc insisted they feel fortunate: “We are lucky to be three to give her all that support, but I think we are the lucky ones to have her in our life.”