Question Period Note: Off-reserve Indigenous child welfare

• On January 31, 2023, a proposed national class action was filed in the Federal Court by 10 First Nations alleging harms were inflicted on Indigenous communities by the modern First Nations child welfare system, such as loss of language, culture, and tradition.
• This Government is committed to continuing to make progress resolving Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation outside of the courts, wherever possible.

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If pressed on Other Off-Reserve Indigenous Child Welfare Claims
• Counsel for this action also filed a national class action, Stonechild et al., on behalf of Indigenous children removed from their homes and placed into the care of individuals who were not members of their Indigenous community, group, or people.
• The Government’s stated position is that provincial and territorial actors should be held accountable for their share of liability.
• Similar claims have been filed in provincial courts, naming Canada and the province. Claims have been filed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.