E-7 - Immigrant Children Act

Repealed on 22 June 1979

This document has official status.

chapter E-7

Immigrant Children Act

Repealed, 1979, c. 17, s. 6.

1979, c. 17, s. 6.

1. Where the following words occur in this act, they shall be construed in the manner hereinafter mentioned, unless a contrary intention appears:

(1)  The word “child” or “children” means a person or persons under eighteen years of age, an immigrant or immigrants into Québec;

(2)  The word “society” means any individual or association of individuals, whether incorporated or unincorporated, undertaking the care, training, reformation or education of orphans, neglected or dependent immigrant children in Québec, or the placing out of such children in foster homes, or the apprenticing of such children to any trade or industry, or other work of a similar character, and shall include a branch or agency of any such society;

(3)  The word “agent” includes the superintendent or other officer of any society to which this act applies, and also any person who, for reward or otherwise, places or undertakes to place immigrant children in foster homes or as apprentices to any trade or industry or other work of a similar character;

(4)  The word “Minister” means the Minister of Immigration.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 1; 1968, c. 68, s. 21.

2. Every society, before placing children in Québec, shall lay before the Lieutenant-Governor its objects and system of working, also the class of immigrants it proposes to bring into Québec.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 2.

3. On satisfying the Lieutenant-Governor that it is proposed to bring in only children of good morals, the Lieutenant-Governor may grant the said society a certificate authorizing it to place children in Québec as aforesaid.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 3.

4. Every society must register, in the office of the Minister, the names of its agents and visitors.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 4.

5. All agents must be provided with certificates from the society, countersigned by the Minister, attesting that they are such agents.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 5.

6. Every society approved by the Lieutenant-Governor shall provide a permanent home or shelter in Québec, to which the children may be returned.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 6.

7. Every society shall keep a record in writing, showing:

(1)  The full name of every child placed in Québec by the society;

(2)  The approximate age and date of birth of every child;

(3)  The date on which the child was brought into Québec and placed;

(4)  The name and address of every person having, from time to time, the custody of the child;

(5)  The principal terms and conditions entered into on placing out any such child.

The record showing these particulars shall be open to the inspection of any person authorized for that purpose by the Minister.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 7.

8. The society shall cause a personal visit to be made to each such child, so placed, once a year, by an authorized agent or visitor; and a record of the visits with the dates thereof must appear in the books of the society.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 8.

9. The principal officer of every society shall, with respect to a child to whom this act applies, have all the powers and duties conferred or imposed by law upon tutors.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 9.

10. Every society, whether incorporated or not, which places children in Québec without having previously obtained the certificate mentioned in section 3, shall be liable to a fine of not more than fifty dollars nor less than twenty-five dollars.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 10.

11. Every person acting as agent of a society, without holding the certificate mentioned in section 5, shall be liable to a fine of not more than twenty dollars nor less than five dollars, and, in default of payment, to imprisonment for not more than thirty days nor less than fifteen days.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 11.

12. Any society placing any child of known vicious tendencies, or who has been an inmate of a reformatory, shall be liable to a fine of not more than one hundred dollars nor less than twenty-five dollars, and the agent or officer of such society who has placed such child shall be liable to a fine of not more than fifty dollars nor less than ten dollars, and, in default of payment, to imprisonment for not more than six months nor less than one month.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 12.

13. Every agent or society placing out any child who, from defective intellect or physical infirmity, is unable to follow any trade or calling, shall return such child to the place whence he came, within one year from the date of immigration.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 13.

14. Any person who has received any child from a society or agent, and who is unwilling or unable to carry out the agreement entered into by him with the society or agent, shall, at his own expense, return such child to the home provided by the society.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 14.

15. Any such person who abandons such child or refuses to return him to the home shall be liable to a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars nor less than ten dollars, and, in default of payment, to imprisonment for not more than three months nor less than one month.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 15.

16. Any person enticing a child from the custody of the agent or of any person to whom the agent has entrusted such child, shall be liable to a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars, and, in default of payment, to imprisonment for not more than three months.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 16.

17. The provisions of the Summary Convictions Act (chapter P-15) shall apply to prosecutions under this act.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 17.

18. The Minister may, at any time, recommend the Lieutenant-Governor to revoke the certificate of any society found guilty of a violation of this act or which, upon proof before him, is found guilty of negligence in the performance of any duty imposed by this act.

R. S. 1964, c. 219, s. 18.