A final settlement agreement over the underfunding of First Nations Child and Family Services has been completed.
Canada will pay $20 billion in compensation to eligible children and their families who were negatively impacted and were part of the system as far back as 1991.
The federal government reached, in-principle, an agreement earlier this year with the Assembly of First Nations and plaintiffs in two separate class-action suits.
The agreement, once approved by the Federal Court and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the following groups will be eligible for compensation:
- children who were removed from their homes under the First Nations Child and Family Services program between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2022
- children who were impacted by the government’s narrow definition of Jordan’s Principle between December 12, 2007, and November 2, 2017
- children who did not receive or were delayed in receiving an essential public service or product between April 1, 1991, and December 11, 2007
- caregiving parents or caregiving grandparents of the children above may also be eligible for compensation
“Historic harms require historic reparations. While no amount of compensation can make up for the grief and trauma that the actions of the Government of Canada caused to First Nations children and families, this final settlement agreement is an important step forward to acknowledging the harm done and beginning the hard work of healing,” says Indigenous Service Minister Patty Hadju.
Another 20 billion is to go toward reforming the First Nations child welfare system.
Some of those actions took place in April to reduce the number of First Nations children in care and provide additional supports to First Nations children, youth and families.
The provinces also received increased funding for prevention, First Nations representative services, and the expansion of post-majority care services for young adults formerly in care up to their 26th birthday.
