---
title: "What Is Parental Authority in Quebec? ✦ Goldwater Droit"
canonical_url: "https://goldwaterdroit.com/en/faqs/what-is-parental-authority-in-quebec"
last_updated: "2026-09-15T22:09:47.760Z"
locale: en
meta:
  description: "In Quebec, parental authority (arts. 599–600 C.c.Q.) is held by both parents together, covering major decisions, and separation doesn't remove it."
  "og:description": "In Quebec, parental authority (arts. 599–600 C.c.Q.) is held by both parents together, covering major decisions, and separation doesn't remove it."
  "og:title": "What Is Parental Authority in Quebec?"
---

# What is parental authority in Quebec, and who holds it?

Parental authority is the set of rights and duties parents have toward their child, covering major decisions about health, education, religion, and upbringing. Under articles 599 and 600 of the Civil Code of Québec, both parents hold and exercise parental authority together by default, and they must exercise it without violence. Separation or divorce does not, on its own, remove a parent's authority: a parent can continue to share decision-making even when the child lives mainly with the other parent, because parental authority is distinct from the question of the child's main residence and parenting time. Parental authority is only removed or restricted in serious circumstances—deprivation under article 606 C.c.Q.—always assessed against the child's interest.

Civil Code of Québec, arts. 599–600 (parental authority exercised together) Civil Code of Québec, art. 606 (deprivation of parental authority)