Question Period Note: Jordan’s Principle

N.A.

• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is committed to the ongoing implementation of Jordan’s Principle and its long-term sustainability.
• Jordan’s Principle was created to ensure that First Nations children do not experience gaps or delays in accessing government-funded health, social and education services, and that they are not denied these services due to their identity as First Nations children.
• Nearly $10 billion in Jordan’s Principle funding has been secured, and more than 10 million products, services, and supports have been approved since 2016.

On February 10, 2025, the Minister of Indigenous Services announced new operational guidance for Jordan’s Principle. Developed in light of the increased volume in demand for Jordan’s Principle, the Government of Canada made changes to operating procedures to make sure requests align with the long-term sustainability of Jordan’s Principle. These changes provide further clarity and consistency around the services available for First Nations children through Jordan’s Principle, as well as the required documentation that is needed when processing requests.
ISC is reviewing Jordan's Principle processes and policies with long-term sustainability in mind. This will ensure more consistent and clearer policies and communications about the services First Nations children can access through Jordan's Principle and the required documentation to access those services and supports.
ISC has begun implementing updated procedures for the approval of products, services, and supports under Jordan's Principle. To make sure resources are used in line with Jordan's Principle, requests must relate to achieving substantive equality for First Nations children.
In the current fiscal year (April 1 to November 30, 2025), 39,428 requests were approved for First Nations children through Jordan’s Principle, which represents a 55% decrease compared to the same period in fiscal year 2024-2025.

If pressed on funding commitments
• Canada is committed to upholding Jordan’s Principle by supporting the costs of essential health, social and educational products, services and supports that address the discriminatory unmet needs of First Nations children.
• Jordan’s Principle has baseline funding of approximately $780 million per year to support its delivery through to March 31, 2028. Decisions on which initiatives will sunset, be extended or receive funding increments will be communicated at a later date.
• ISC continues to provide support to First Nations children through Jordan’s Principle. We are committed to working collaboratively with First Nations partners, provinces, and territories to coordinate services and help ensure the long-term sustainability of Jordan’s Principle. If pressed on Jordan’s Principle operations and the request backlog
• ISC is aware of the frustrations with the application and payment process as well as the concerns about the impact changes have had on children receiving supports.
• One of ISC’s top priorities is to improve the administration of Jordan’s Principle. First Nations children should not face gaps or delays in accessing government services due to their identity as First Nations, regardless of where they live.
• Indigenous Services Canada is working on a number of actions, including reviewing service delivery models and operational processes, as part of ongoing efforts to improve delivery and support long-term sustainability
• ISC staff continue to work diligently to clear the existing backlog of requests under Jordan’s Principle and to process new requests, with the backlog of requests decreasing slightly over the past several months. If pressed on the resolution of the CHRT complaint
• The Government of Canada continues to work with the Parties to the complaint before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to advance a resolution to the discrimination, substantiated by the Tribunal in 2016, and to fully implement Jordan’s Principle.
• Indigenous Services Canada will work with partners to develop options for a long-term sustainable approach to Jordan’s Principle to ensure it is available for First Nations children who need it the most for years to come. If pressed on 2021 CHRT 41 Capital Funding Order
• The Government of Canada has committed funding for the delivery of First Nations child and family services, and 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 address the needs of First Nations children. If pressed on individual Jordan’s Principle cases
• ISC cannot comment on individual Jordan’s Principle requests due to privacy policies.
• Each Jordan’s Principle request is considered on a case-by-case basis, along with the required documentation for the request, while taking into account the distinct needs of the child/children and gaps in other programs or services. An existing or previously approved request does not guarantee that a request for new funding will be renewed or approved.
• Our priority is supporting First Nations children’s equal access to the essential government funded products, services, and supports they need. If pressed on recent trends
• Jordan’s Principle has seen a reduction in the number of requests made to the initiative, which has corresponded to a reduction in spending.
• Factors contributing to the lower approvals include the ongoing backlog of requests yet to be adjudicated, ensuring previously approved funds are expended prior to approval of additional funding, and operational changes introduced through the February 2025 Operational bulletin.
• It is important to note that while we are seeing a decrease in the number of new requests, Jordan’s Principle continues to accept and approve new requests for health, social and educational products and services to meet the essential needs of First Nations children. If pressed on engagement
• I and my officials have been meeting with families, First Nations leadership and partners as well as provincial and territorial governments to strengthen collaboration and make sure that First Nations children’s needs are met.
• We are continuing this engagement to strengthen service delivery, address challenges, and support long-term sustainability.