Canada Implements Major Reforms to First Nations Child Welfare Program
Canada Introduces Major Changes to First Nations Child Services Program
The Canadian government has announced big changes to a program that helps First Nations children get the care and support they need, when they need it.
The new rules limit what can be funded under Jordan’s Principle. Home renovations, sports events, international travel, non-medical items, and school-related costs will no longer be covered unless they are necessary to ensure First Nations kids receive the same level of support as other children.
These changes come after the federal government told the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) that some people were making non-urgent requests, such as money for modeling headshots, gaming consoles, and zip-line kits. The CHRT agreed this was a concern but also pointed out that some unusual requests could still be necessary—like a fridge for storing a child’s medication.
Jordan’s Principle is named after Jordan River Anderson, a boy from Manitoba who had multiple disabilities. He died in the hospital while waiting for the federal and provincial governments to decide who should pay for his care. The program was created to prevent other First Nations children from facing similar delays in getting the services they need.
The program allows First Nations families to apply for funding immediately, while the government later decides who is responsible for paying the bill. However, the federal government says too many applications are being marked as urgent when they are not, leading to a backlog of 140,000 requests.
Jordan’s father, Ernest Anderson, recently spoke out about the issue, saying that misuse of the program is causing delays for children with urgent needs.
Cindy Blackstock, who helped create Jordan’s Principle, disagrees with the government’s approach. She says the changes are not based on solid evidence and reinforce negative stereotypes about Indigenous people. She also argues that the government has not proven how common misuse actually is.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has also criticized the program, saying that it involves too much paperwork and slow approval processes. Some First Nations groups in Manitoba have even had to cover more than $1 million in costs themselves while waiting for government funding.
The government says it is reviewing policies to make sure there are clearer rules about what services can be funded. However, Blackstock and other advocates worry that narrowing the program will leave some First Nations children without the support they need.
