Within the meaning of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of May 29, 1993,  the Minister of Health and Social Services is Québec's central authority for international adoptions. The Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale (SAI) performs the functions of a central authority for Québec on behalf of the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Specifically, the Secrétariat à l'adoption internationale (SAI):

• coordinates international adoption activities in Québec in the best interests of the children in keeping with their fundamental rights;
• assists and counsels individuals and families who plan to adopt a child domiciled outside Québec and ensures that their adoption plans comply with standards;
• ensures administrative follow-up of the Hague Convention of May 29, 1993 and supports the Minister of Health and Social Services in his role as central authority;
• makes recommendations to the Minister of Health and Social Services with respect to the certification of the bodies that handle international adoptions;
• counsels and supports certified bodies, and monitors their activities;
• ensures compliance with Québec legislation and guidelines, and rules of ethics concerning international adoptions;
• ensures that all the requirements are satisfied for each adoption;
• advises the authorities of the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux in matters of international adoption;
• establishes working relations with foreign authorities in charge of adoption and international adoption agreements in keeping with their legislation and culture.