Question Period Note: The Inuit Child First Initiative

N.A.

• The Government of Canada is committed to working collaboratively with Inuit partners, provinces, and territories to coordinate services and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the Inuit Child First Initiative.

• This Initiative ensures Inuit children have equal access to essential government funded health, social and educational products, services and supports.

• The Government allocated $121.7 million this year to extend the Inuit Child First Initiative until March 31, 2026.

On September 10, 2018, the Inuit Child First Initiative (Inuit CFI) was jointly announced by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). The initiative ensures that Inuit children have equal access to the essential government funded health, social and educational products, services, supports, taking into account their unique circumstances, experiences and needs.

This decision was an interim approach replicating the Jordan’s Principle model, with the understanding that a long-term Inuit-specific approach to addressing the needs of children would be co-developed with Inuit partners. Despite mirroring Jordan’s Principle as a federally-administered request-based initiative, the implementation of Inuit CFI was never subject to litigation or oversight by Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

Since its inception, the Inuit CFI has become a critical source of support for families, improving access to essential services and supports for children where there are gaps in government programming, and helping families cope with emergent needs. Inuit partners have communicated, through the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee and other forums, that the continuation of the Inuit CFI is a priority .

Top Key Current Files or Projects

In January 2023, a Co-Development Steering Committee was established with membership from the ITK, Inuit Treaty Organizations (ITO), and Canada. The objective of the committee is to co-develop a long-term approach that is Inuit-led and responds to the needs of Inuit children.

In spring 2024, Cabinet endorsed the principle of a Shared Responsibility Model and six of the seven Guiding Principles put forward by Inuit partners in fall 2023. ISC received direction to co-develop a National Framework with Inuit partners that would set common parameters and ultimately govern implementation of the Inuit CFI at the national level, and to co-develop interim regional approaches. In September 2024, the ITK Board of Directors met and committed to the co-development of the National Framework and interim regional approaches.

In fall 2024, ISC began meeting regularly with ITK and the Inuit Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from each of the ITOs, to co-develop the National Framework. In January 2025, the Co-Development Steering Committee met to review a draft National Framework and interim regional approaches. A second draft was circulated to Inuit partners on February 4, 2025. In May 2025, ISC senior management participated in the National Inuit Committee on Health - First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Senior Management Committee in Iqaluit, NU. There was commitment from both the Government of Canada and Inuit partners to return to the co-development table and work towards finalizing the National Framework. It is expected that Inuit will submit a revised draft Framework in advance of the next Co-Development Steering Committee meeting, which is expected to resume in September 2025.

A new operational table to discuss Inuit concerns related to the operational bulletin and the operations of the Inuit CFI was established with ITOs and ITK in July 2025. The next meeting is expected in September 2025.

If pressed on the Inuit Child First Initiative operations
• The Government of Canada is aware of the frustrations with the Initiative’s application and payment process and the impact recent changes have had on children receiving supports.

• One of Indigenous Services Canada’s (ISC) top priorities is to improve the administration of the Inuit Child First Initiative. Inuit children should not face gaps or delays in accessing government services due to their identity as Inuit.

• Strengthening collaboration with Inuit, provincial and territorial partners is key to ensuring that we meet children’s needs together. If pressed on funding
• Since 2019, the Government of Canada has committed nearly $510 million to address the immediate needs of Inuit children through the Inuit Child First Initiative, and is committed to continue working with Inuit partners. If pressed on co-development
• ISC is working with Inuit partners, including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the four Inuit Treaty Organizations, to co-develop an Inuit-specific long-term approach.

• ISC remains committed to the co-development process and the creation of a long-term approach which reflects the vision and direction of Inuit partners.
If pressed on operational changes
• In February 2025, ISC introduced changes to operating procedures related to processing requests under Jordan’s Principle, which also apply to the Inuit Child First Initiative as operationally it has mirrored Jordan’s Principle.

• The changes will ensure resources are used in line with the Inuit Child First Initiative, provide clarity on required documentation, and expedite decision-making.

• Temporary relief measures can be provided for income supplements to address immediate risk factors to children. However, it is not intended to displace government income assistance. If pressed on the backlog
• ISC is developing new solutions that will reduce and eliminate the backlog.

• Requests submitted for children with urgent or life threatening needs continue to be prioritized and requests in the backlog are being processed.

• Each new request is being considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the distinct needs of the child and gaps in other programs or services. If pressed on funding for food related supports
• The Inuit Child First Initiative is not intended nor structured to displace government income assistance through “universal” programs such as food vouchers.

• It can support Inuit children and families with income supplements such as groceries as a temporary relief measure to address immediate risk factors to children.

• Any large-scale group request related for food will be assessed on the basis of each individual child. It must include appropriate supporting documentation and meet all criteria outlined in the new operational procedures to be eligible.