Question Period Note: Jordan’s Principle

We are committed to the full implementation of Jordan's
Principle to ensure First Nations children can access the
products, services and supports they need, when they need
them, regardless of where they live in Canada.
• Since July 1, 2016 to February 28, 2023, the Government of
Canada approved an estimated 2.56 million products, services,
and supports for First Nations children.

On December 31, 2021, two Agreements-in-Principle were reached between Canada, the
Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, the Chiefs of
Ontario, the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and counsels for the AFN-Moushoom and Trout class
actions (collectively, “the Parties”). One agreement in principle is for compensation for those
harmed by discriminatory underfunding of First Nations child and family services and for those
who were denied, or delayed in receiving, services under Jordan’s Principle, and the other
pertains to the longterm reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services program and a
renewed approached for Jordan’s Principle.
These Agreements-in-Principle provided a basis for final settlement agreements to be
negotiated. 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.
The Parties are continuing to work together to reach a final settlement agreement on
compensation and the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services program
and renewed approach for Jordan’s Principle.
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Orders on Capital
On November 16, 2021, the CHRT issued 2021 CHRT 41. This decision contains orders for
Canada to fund the purchase and construction of capital assets for the delivery of First Nations
child and family services or for the delivery of services under Jordan's Principle on reserve. This
includes funding to conduct capital needs and feasibility studies for the delivery of services
funded through Jordan’s Principle off-reserve.
Following the submission of a consent motion from Canada and the parties, on January 18,
2022, the CHRT amended the orders in the decision of November 16, 2021.

If pressed on funding commitments
• Since 2016, our Government has committed approximately $3.3
billion towards Jordan's Principle to help First Nations children
with health, social and education services; and $220M over five
years to address the immediate needs of Inuit children through
the implementation of the Inuit Child First Initiative.
• An additional $40.1M has been provided for the implementation
of 2021 CHRT 41 to fund the purchase and construction of
capital assets for the on-reserve delivery of services under
Jordan’s Principle, as well as to fund capital needs assessments
and feasibility studies for the off-reserve delivery of Jordan’s
Principle.

If pressed on Jordan’s Principle
• Our Government is working with First Nations partners, Parties
to the CHRT, provinces and territories to ensure that Jordan’s
Principle is fully implemented in order to help better address the
unmet health, social, and education needs of First Nations
children.
• Jordan’s Principle will continue to ensure that First Nations
children can access the products, services and supports they
need, when they need them, as we continue to work towards the
long-term approach for Jordan’s Principle.

If pressed on January 4, 2022 announcement regarding
Agreements-in-Principle
• On January 4, 2022, the Government of Canada announced that
Agreements-in-Principle were reached on a global resolution
related to compensation and long-term reform for Jordan’s
Principle and First Nations Child and Family Services, to ensure
that no First Nation child faces discrimination again.
• These Agreements-in-Principle provide a basis for final
settlement agreements.
• Work is underway to achieve final settlement agreements on
compensation and the long-term reform of the First Nations
Child and Family Services program and a renewed approach to
Jordan’s Principle.

If pressed on 2021 CHRT 41 Capital Funding Order
• Our Government has committed funding for the delivery of First
Nations child and family services, and services under Jordan’s
Principle.
• Funding applications can be made by First Nations or First
Nations-authorized service providers that deliver Jordan’s
Principle services to First Nations children for:
o The purchase and construction of capital assets for the onreserve
delivery of services under Jordan’s Principle on
reserve, and;
o To fund capital needs assessments and feasibility studies
for both on- and off-reserve delivery of services under
Jordan’s Principle
• Our desire is to respect and develop First Nations-led capital
planning processes that result in quality capital assets, and
most importantly, address the needs of First Nations children.

If pressed on the Inuit Child First Initiative
• From April 2019 to October 2022 more than 77,000 requested
products, services, and supports have been approved through
the Inuit Child First Initiative.
• ISC continues to work with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami to raise
awareness of the services available under the Inuit Child First
Initiative through increased media advertisements.
We will continue working with Inuit partners to co-develop a
framework for a long-term Inuit-specific approach and engage
with provinces and territories to align services to better meet the
needs of Inuit children.

If pressed on the Consultation Committee on Child Welfare
(CCCW)
• The Consultation Committee on Child Welfare (CCCW) was
established in 2018 as a result of the February 1, 2018, Canadian
Human Rights Tribunal Ruling on Child Welfare.
• This committee is chaired by the Assembly of First Nations, and
the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada,
and provides a forum for parties to work together to eliminate
discrimination against First Nations children.
• Accomplishments of this committee include the development of
a consultation protocol and of operational guidelines and
policies, research, and training.
• The CCCW last met in October 2021 and the next meeting has
not been scheduled (TBD).

If pressed on the Spirit Bear Plan
• The Spirit Bear Plan was created by the First Nations Child and
Family Caring Society and received Assembly of First Nations
support in 2017.
• Closing the gaps in health, social services and education for
First Nations children and families are top priorities of the
Government.
• We are committed to fully implementing the orders of the
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in this regard.
• We will continue to work with First Nations partners to advance
reforms to child and family services, and to develop First
Nations-led solutions that place the well-being of children first.