Canada: Have a Heart & Stop Underfunding Services for Children in First Nations Communities

  • by: Amnesty International Canada
  • recipient: Canada's Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett and Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould

In January 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that the federal government's longstanding underfunding of child and family services in First Nations communities is discriminatory and must end. This landmark ruling created the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of First Nations children and their families.

Federal funding for First Nations family services is much less per child than provincial and territorial funding for services in predominantly non-Aboriginal communities. This is despite higher costs associated with providing services in small and remote communities and the often greater need created by the history of mistreatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada, including the lasting effects of the residential school system.

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has now ruled that the federal government must take immediate action ensure sufficient funding to meet the real needs of First Nations children and families. This includes immediately implementing "the full meaning and scope of Jordan's Principle", a Canadian standard which says that jurisdictional differences should not stand in the way of the best interests of the child.

Unfortunately, a year after this historic ruling, the issue is still before the Tribunal because the federal government has not done enough to eliminate discrimination against First Nations children. Increased funding in the last federal budget was significant and welcome but it was not adequate to close the gap and meet the needs of First Nations children.

Take action: Urge the Canadian government to work with First Nations organizations to close the gap in family services in First Nations communities across Canada.

To Ministers Bennett and Wilson-Raybould, 

I welcome the fact that, in responding to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling, your government has acknowledged its responsibility to ensure equality in both funding and outcomes for First Nations children.

Racial discrimination in government services to First Nations children is absolutely unacceptable.

The Tribunal decision provides an important opportunity to set things right.

I urge your government to work in good faith with First Nations to ensure that all First Nations children and families have full and equitable access to the quality of services they need and deserve, including through full implementation of Jordan’s Principle.

[Your comments]


Sincerely, 
[Your name]


 
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