Question Period Note: Funding to support Indigenous jurisdiction over child and family services

• Every child deserves to grow up in their community⁠, immersed in their culture and surrounded by their loved ones.

• That is why we have committed more than $542 million over five years, starting in 2020-21, to advance the implementation of the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.

• This funding will support Indigenous partners to engage on a distinctions-based approach, build capacity, and participate in coordination agreement discussions – so that they can decide what is best for their children, their families, and their communities.

As part of the July 2020 Economic and Fiscal Snapshot, the Government of Canada has committed more than $542 million over five years, starting in 2020-21, to support the implementation of the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, which came into force on January 1, 2020. This new stream of funding is available for all section 35 rights holding groups wishing to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services.

Funding will not be broken down by distinction as we cannot presume how section 35 rights holders will want to exercise their jurisdiction. As part of the implementation process, ISC is working with partners to identify needs for funding that support their jurisdiction over child and family services. Areas of consideration could include:

• supports for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis engagement to advance the co-development of the implementation process. This would include the establishment of and participation in distinction-based governance engagement mechanisms;
• support for capacity-building activities that would enable First Nations, Inuit, and Métis groups to work within and across their communities to build strong foundations for a successful transition toward the exercise of jurisdiction; and
• support for, and participation in, coordination agreement discussions.

As we move forward, discussions on how to implement the Act, including implementation costs, will be done through distinction-based governance mechanisms, as well as at the coordination agreement tables. The funding requirements for each Indigenous governing body will vary depending on the model being proposed and their distinct needs.

If Pressed on specific information on this investment
• The announcement of over $542 million demonstrates our commitment to advancing the implementation of the Act and contributes to ensuring First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have the resources they need to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services.

• This funding includes $425 million for capacity-building; nearly $73 million for coordination agreement discussions; and nearly $10 million for engagement.

• This funding is over and above funding already in the system. Our work with partners will help us ensure the system transforms with communities and responds to the high bar set out in the legislation.
If pressed on how funding for the Act will be allocated
• Funding will not be broken down by distinction as we cannot presume how section 35 rights holders will want to exercise their jurisdiction.

• As part of the implementation process, we are working with partners to identify needs that best support their jurisdiction over child and family services.

• Discussions on how to implement the Act, including implementation costs, will be done through distinction-based governance mechanisms, and at coordination agreement tables.

• The funding requirements for each Indigenous governing body will vary depending on the model being proposed and their distinct needs.
If pressed on First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Reform Efforts To Date

• We’ve more than doubled funding for the First Nations Child and Family Services Program based on agencies’ actual needs and with an emphasis on prevention – increasing from $681 million in 2015-2016 to $1.6 billion in 2020-21.

• Last year we passed co-developed legislation that enables Indigenous communities to assert jurisdiction over child and family services, and establishes minimum standards to ensure the best interests of Indigenous children.

• We are ensuring that there is an appropriate framework for Indigenous children to be cared for in the right way, with connections to their communities, cultures, and languages.