Agreements-in-Principle reached on compensation and long-term reform of First Nations child and family services and Jordan's Principle

OTTAWA, TRADITIONAL ALGONQUIN TERRITORY, ON, Jan. 4, 2022 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is pleased to announce that Agreements-in-Principle have been reached on a global resolution related to compensation for those harmed by discriminatory underfunding of First Nations child and family services and to achieve long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services program and Jordan's Principle, to ensure that no child faces discrimination again.

This is a result of discussions between Canada, the Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, the Chiefs of Ontario, the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and counsel for the Moushoom and Trout class actions.

We begin by acknowledging the generations of First Nations who have advocated so strongly for their children including Residential School Survivors, Sixties Scoop Survivors and children, young people and families whose lives are touched by this case. Their strength and the advocacy of First Nations leaders and service providers have made this step toward change possible. No amount of money can reconnect First Nations children and youth with their cultures nor reverse the suffering experienced by First Nations children, youth, their families and communities. We recognize the harms experienced by the children, youth and families who continue to suffer because of Canada's discrimination related to the First Nations Child and Family Services program and Jordan's Principle found by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT). 

We would also like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the Honourable Murray Sinclair and his team, who assisted all Parties in reaching this significant milestone by chairing the discussions. We thank him for his time, energy, and dedication over these past weeks.

This has been a challenging time. The unmarked graves of children who attended Residential Schools, climate change emergencies and the pandemic have deepened the disadvantages that many First Nations families and communities face.

Reforming the First Nations Child and Family Services program to provide culturally-based and substantially equal family supports is especially urgent given these additional pressures on families. It is imperative that First Nations leadership, Elders, and service providers have the supports they need for their critical work.

These Agreements-in-Principle provide a basis for final settlement agreements to be negotiated over the coming months. Once the final settlement agreements are reached and the necessary CHRT and Federal Court orders are made, children and families harmed by discriminatory underfunding will be compensated and measures will be implemented to better meet the needs of children, youth and families and to prevent this type of discrimination from recurring. This will chart a path for long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services program and Jordan's Principle, reducing the number of First Nations children in care, keeping children connected to their families, communities and cultures and ensuring that First Nations children have access to the services they need, when they need them.

The Agreements-in-Principle include:

• $20 billion in compensation for First Nations children on-reserve and in the Yukon, who were removed from their homes between April 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022, and for their parents and caregivers. This also includes compensation for those impacted by the government's narrow definition of Jordan's Principle between December 12, 2007 and November 2, 2017, as well as for children who did not receive or were delayed receiving an essential public service or product between April 1, 1991 and December 11, 2007. Our shared goal is to achieve a settlement that can be delivered to families as soon as possible.
• Approximately $20 billion, over five years, for long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services program to ensure that the discrimination found by the CHRT never repeats itself. This includes funding to support young First Nations adults aging out of the child welfare system and prevention services to build on the multi-generational cultural strengths to help children and families in staying together that will be implemented as early as April 2022. There is also new funding for on-reserve housing to support these prevention initiatives.

This important work respects the diversity of First Nations and takes into consideration regional realities, such as remoteness. It is also important to note the integral role that provinces and territories fulfill in improving First Nations child and family services through tripartite tables, technical working groups and regional advisory committees.

The Parties will continue to work together to reach final settlement agreements on both compensation and long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services program. These agreements would support future work on reforms of Jordan's Principle and other initiatives by Indigenous Services Canada. This process will unfold over the course of 2022, and more information will be forthcoming.

Quotes

"For too long, the Government of Canada did not adequately fund or support the wellness of First Nations families and children. First Nations leadership and advocates have long pushed the Federal Government to change these discriminatory practices. First Nations children thrive when they can stay with their families, in their communities, surrounded by their culture. No compensation amount can make up for the trauma people have experienced, but these Agreements-in-Principle acknowledge to survivors and their families the harm and pain caused by the discrimination in funding and services. The Agreements-in-Principle outline how equitable care will be funded and provided, and support First Nations-led solutions for family wellness. I thank the many partners and people that have worked to forge this fairer path that will result in a stronger and healthier country for everyone."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services

"From the beginning, we committed to compensating those harmed by Canada's discriminatory funding practices, as well as to investing the necessary resources to help keep First Nations children with their families and communities. This global resolution allows us to do both. We are aware that reaching this milestone has been a long time coming for families who were torn apart, and we know that our work is not done. We will continue working with the Parties so that future generations of First Nations children will never face the same injustices - and can thrive, surrounded by their loved ones, languages and cultures."

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

media may contact: Andrew MacKendrick, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, [email protected]; Media Relations Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160, [email protected]; Renelle Arsenault, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, [email protected]; Media Relations, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-934-2302, [email protected]