QUESTION PERIOD — Indigenous Services
First Nations Child and Family Services
October 10, 2024
Senator Gold, from September 10 to 12, 2024, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal held hearings on the Caring Society’s non-compliance motion. This motion pointed to Canada’s chronic failure to adhere to the tribunal’s orders by not effectively processing Jordan’s Principle requests. In fact, Canada has admitted it had not opened or processed between 40,000 and 80,000 cases.
Two weeks ago, Johnson Redhead, a little boy with autism and other special needs, wandered away from his school in Shamattawa First Nation. He was found dead from exposure a few days later. He was waiting for support from Jordan’s Principle.
Senator, what specific steps will Canada take to resolve the backlogs and ensure children in urgent need are provided the protection and care they need?
Thank you for your question, senator. First and foremost, I want to offer my condolences, my heartfelt sympathies, to the family and friends of Johnson Redhead. A tragedy like this should never have happened. Unfortunately, this is not a new issue, colleagues. For generations, First Nations families and people have suffered tremendously from discriminatory and systematically racist child welfare practices by the Government of Canada.
The government recently committed to an infusion of $1.6 billion, which will help ensure First Nations children receive the support they need under Jordan’s Principle. The government remains committed to the work of long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle so that children and families do not face this kind of discrimination and the horrible consequences of it ever again.
Senator Gold, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families mandates predictable, sustainable and needs-based funding to obtain substantive equality.
What steps has the government taken to ensure that funding for First Nations, such as the Neqotkuk First Nation in New Brunswick, is needs-based and not relying on the Indian Registry System population-based per capita models?
Thank you. The government is committed to removing systemic barriers that preclude and prevent Indigenous children and youth from accessing the services and supports they need. The government made a historic investment, in addition to the one I mentioned, of $1.3 billion to support Canada’s continued efforts to work with Indigenous communities in the implementation of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. That’s a start. Much more needs to be done.
