Adoption Corner: Recent Trends in International Adoption - by The ACC (Fall 2008)

Printer-friendly version

RECENT TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION
Prepared by The Adoption Council of Canada

If you are considering adoption from outside Canada, the following information may be helpful in deciding which countries to investigate and what you need to know in order to make a realistic choice abroad.

The Adoption Council of Canada (ACC) would like to extend its thanks to Robin Hilborn of the Family Helper, http://www.familyhelper.net/. Robin has been instrumental in compiling the most recent international adoption information.

****

First off, let us examine the most recent international adoption statistics. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) compiles these figures on an annual basis, www.cic.gc.ca.

International adoptions in 2007

In 2007, 1,713 children from abroad found adoptive homes in Canada. This figure is up from 2006 (1,535); however, for nearly a decade, international adoptions have been on a decline.

Canadians are adopting from many countries around the globe. Let us look at the top 25:
Table 1. International Adoptions to Canada, 2004-2007
Top 25 countries, by year

   x = From 0 to 4 [number suppressed by CIC to protect privacy]1

Using the figures above, the rates of international adoption may also be divided by province and territory. Check to see which countries are popular in your area and feel free to contact an adoption agency dealing with that country.

NOTE: Having trouble finding an agency? Please contact the Adoption Council of Canada, 1-888-54-ADOPT or info@adoption.ca. We are happy to guide you through your adoption journey.

Table 2. International Adoptions to Canada, 2007
Top 25 countries, by province

x = From 0 to 4 [number suppressed by CIC to protect privacy]
Children adopted internationally: age & gender

The majority of children adopted from abroad are under the age of two. Girls are also more likely to be adopted; this is in large part due to the high number of girls available for adoption through Chinese orphanages.

For your interest, CIC has compiled the following for 2007:
Table 3. International Adoptions to Canada, 2007
By age and gender

Adoptions by Country: A Focus on the Top 5

China

 

China remains the number one choice for Canada’s adoptive families. In 2007, 658 Chinese children found homes across the country.

Nevertheless, although China is still the most popular country, new restrictions have slowed down the process for families wishing to adopt from China. Some of the restrictions are as follows:

•    Adoption is limited to married couples, made up of a man and a woman.
•    The couple must have been married at least two years. If either person has previously divorced, the couple must have been married at least five years. No more than two divorces are allowed.
•    Both partners must be between the ages of 30 and 50. Those couples who apply to adopt a special needs child must be between the ages of 30 and 55.
•    -Both partners must be physically and mentally fit.
•    At least one member of the couple must have stable employment. The total value of family assets must be at least $80,000.
•    Both prospective parents must be high school graduates or have vocational training equivalent to a high school education.
•    The family must have fewer than five children under the age of 18, and the youngest is at least one year old (those adopting special needs children are exempted from this requirement).
•    Neither partner may have a significant criminal record and both must have a history of honourable behaviour and good moral character.
•    The prospective parents must demonstrate the ability to provide a warm family environment capable of meeting the needs of an orphaned child and providing for her/his development, and an understanding of the special risks (including potential diseases, developmental delays, and post-placement maladjustment) that could come with inter-country adoption.
•    The couple must provide an adoption application letter that makes clear the applicants’ willingness to allow post-placement follow-ups and provide post-placement reports as required.

Given the slowdowns in China, many families have started to look at other options in international adoption. Consequently, we have seen an increase in adoptions from Africa. Let us turn to the most popular country in Africa: Ethiopia.

 
Ethiopia

 

In 2007, the rate of international adoptions in Ethiopia by Canadians jumped by 121 percent. Ethiopia was especially popular for families in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.

The following are some of the requirements for adopting from Ethiopia.
•    The Ethiopian Government prefers if there is no more then 43 years between the ages of the adoptive parent and infants. No age limits for older children.
•    Single female applicants are accepted.
•    Applicants must have no emotional disabilities (Bi-polar, depression, schizophrenia, etc.) and no criminal record.
•    Applicants must be married for 3 years, or show that they have been cohabitating for 3 years prior to marriage.
•    Applicants must be in good physical health and in sound financial condition.
Several agencies in Canada will facilitate the adoption process with Ethiopia; however, CAFAC (Canadian Advocates for the Adoption of Children) handles the most. To contact CAFAC:

CAFAC
Box 1680
214 Main St
Minnedosa MB  R0J 1E0
www.cafac.ca
Phone: 204-867-5556 or 204-867-5561
Fax: 204-867-5259
Email: info@cafac.ca

Another agency to consider is the Children’s Bridge:

The Children’s Bridge
Sandra Forbes
1400 Clyde Avenue, Suite 221
Nepean ON K2G 3J2
Tel: (613) 226-2112
Fax: (613) 226-8843
E-mail: sandraforbes@childrensbridge.com

Other popular countries in Africa include South Africa, Liberia, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Russia

 

In 2007, Russia was the third most popular country for international adoptions among Canadians. The majority of the 96 adoptions facilitated were in Ontario (65).

A few notes about Russia:

•    Couples have to be married.
•    Common-law couples cannot adopt, however single men and women may apply.
•    There is no restriction on the number of years a couple must have been married.
•    There is no upper age limit for applicants who wish to adopt from Russia.

Several agencies in Ontario will help to facilitate the international adoption process with Russia, including:

Adoption Horizons, Inc.
Ms. Irina Zaretsky
7 Sunforest Court
Toronto ON M2R 3W3
Tel: (416)512-7591
Fax: (416)512-9727
E-mail: adoptionhorizons@sympatico.ca

Mission of Tears
Rev. Gordon Lewis
50 Gervais Drive, Suite 504
Toronto ON M3C 1Z3
Tel: (416) 449-0018
Fax: (416) 449-0243
E-mail: Elaine@missionoftears.com
Website: www.missionoftears.com


Tzivos Hashem Canada Inc.
a.k.a. “Caring Homes for Orphan Children”
Mr. Henry Gotfryd
3727 Chesswood Drive
Toronto ON M3J 2P6
Tel: (416) 630-2472
Fax: (416) 630-3712
E-mail: info@chocadoption.com
Website: www.chocadoption.com

Russia is also one of the countries of choice in Quebec. For more information about the international programs in Quebec, please contact:

Secrétariat à l'adoption internationale
Telephone
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Montreal area: (514) 873-5226
Toll-free within Québec: 1 800 561-0246
Mail or appointment at our office
Secrétariat à l'adoption internationale
201, boulevard Crémazie Est, bureau 1.01
Montréal (Québec) H2M 1L2
Canada
Fax (514) 873-1709
Email adoption.quebec@msss.gouv.qc.ca

United States

 

In 2007, the US was the fourth most popular country for Canadians adopting from abroad. The US was very popular for families adopting in British Columbia.

A note about the US (courtesy of Choices Adoption and Counselling, http://www.choicesadoption.ca/home/index.php):

There are no restrictions on adoptive parents who wish to adopt from the USA, although some birth mothers want the adoptive parents to reflect the racial makeup of the child. It is a requirement of the USA that the adoptive parent/s have a completed home study.

Here is a list of all the international adoption agencies in BC (note: not all agencies may currently be dealing with the US):

Sunrise Adoption Centre
Suite 102
171 West Esplanade
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7M 3J9
Attn. Douglas R. Chalke,
Executive Director
Ph: 604 984-2488
Fax: 604 984-2498
Toll Free: 1-888-984-2488
Email: dchalke@sunriseadoption.com
    
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
1616 West 7th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, V6J 1S5
Ph: 604 736-7613
Fax: 604 733-7009
Attn: Cathy Loptson, Administrator
E-mail: adoptionservices@fsgv.ca
    
The Adoption Center
255 Lawrence Ave.,
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6L2
Attn. Jennifer Wall, Administrator/Executive Director
Ph: 250 763-8002,
Toll Free: 1-800-935-4237
Fax: 250 763-6282
Email: adoption@kcr.ca


Choices Adoption and Counseling Services
Suite 100-850 Blanshard St.,
Victoria, BC, V8W 2H2
Attn. Cheryl Fix,
Executive Director
Ph: 250 479-9811
Fax: 250 479-9850
Toll Free: 1-888-479-9811
Email: CHOICES@choicesadoption.ca

Hope Services
#200 - 2975 Gladwin Rd.,
Abbotsford, BC, V2T 5T4
Attn. Lorne Welwood, Administrator
Ph: 604 850-1002
Fax: 604 852-1045
Toll Free: 1-800-916-4673
Email: adoption@shaw.ca


LDS Adoption Services of BC
British Columbia Agency
#10122 - 140th St.
Surrey, BC, V3T 4M9
Attn. Michael D. Todd,
Executive Director/Administrator
Ph: 604 585-7735,
Toll Free: in BC 1-888-285-7735,
In Alberta 1-800-563-9956
Fax: 604 585-2977
Email: ldsofbc@telus.net

The US was also popular among Ontario families. The following Ontario agencies help to facilitate adoptions with the US:

Cheryl Appell
# 306 - 10 Alcorn Avenue
Toronto ON M4V 3A9
Tel: (416) 927-0891
Fax: (416) 927-0385
E-mail: appell@dicksonlawyers.com

Children’s Resource & Consultation Centre of Ontario
Mr. Michael Blugerman
100 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto ON M4V 1N3
Tel: (416) 923-7771
Fax: (416) 923-1260
E-mail: mjblug@total.net

Paul J. Conlin
1719 Bank Street, Suite 305
Ottawa ON K1V 7Z4
Tel: (613) 737-4140
Fax: (613) 737-7903
E-mail: pconlin@conlinlaw.com

 

Philippines

 

In 2007, adoptions from the Philippines rose by 70 percent. The Philippines is particularly popular for families in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

A few notes about adopting from the Philippines (courtesy of Hope Adoption Services, www.hopeadopt.org):
•    Applicants must be married and have been so for at least 3 years.  If one spouse was previously divorced, the couple seeking to adopt must have been married at least 5 years.
•    If one spouse has had more than one divorce, they will not be considered.
•    Single applicants are able to adopt from the Philippines. They must be willing to accept an older child (6 years old and up), of either gender, with minor, correctable medical conditions or difficult background.
•    Applicants must be 27 years of age and able to care for their dependents.  There must be at least a 16-year age difference between the child and adoptive parent.
•    Preference is given to Filipino applicants, however, Caucasian applicants do not appear to wait long.

A note about domestic adoption

Although international adoption may be the preferred option for some families in Canada, it is important to understand that there are also Canadian children available for adoption in every province and territory.

The ACC encourages you to learn about all adoption options and make the choice that is right for you and your family. Should you have any questions throughout the process, please visit us online, www.adoption.ca or www.canadaswaitingkids.ca. You may also reach us toll-free: 1-888-54-ADOPT or by email, info@adoption.ca or info@canadaswaitingkids.ca.

Wishing Everyone a Successful Adoption Journey

1. 2007 statistics were obtained from CIC on Dec. 17, 2008
International Adoptions by Province