We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, to prepare and publish annual reports on the number of Aboriginal children (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) who are in care, compared with non-Aboriginal children, as well as the reasons for apprehension, the total spending on preventive and care services by child-welfare agencies, and the effectiveness of various interventions.
Why “In Progress”?
Dec. 22, 2021: In an update to the six-point action plan announced at the Emergency Child Welfare meeting held on Jan. 25 – 26, 2018, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has launched national distinctions-based working groups with Indigenous – First Nations, Métis and Inuit – provincial and territorial partners to co-develop data and reporting strategies. These new strategies should:
- increase data collection and reporting between jurisdictions
- help better understand ways to reduce the number of Indigenous children and youth in care
As of fall 2021, there are plans to create a data sub-table of the Joint National Working Group, which was established under the 2020 protocol agreement with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). The protocol reflects a 3-year commitment by Canada to work with the AFN and First Nations to outline a distinctions-based approach when implementing An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the act).
There have been no detailed progress reports or timelines announced other than the previous generic announcements.
Current Status
Not Started
Call to Action
last updated
December 22, 2021
Latest updates
Federal Government Data Strategy
Data Strategy
Indigenous Services Canada – ISC has launched national distinctions-based working groups with Indigenous, provincial and territorial partners to co-develop data and reporting strategies. These new……
December 22, 2021
Other Child Welfare Stats
Invisible Children: A Descriptive Analysis of Injury and Death Reports for Métis Children and Youth in British Columbia, 2015 to 2017
Representative for Children and Youth Jennifer Charlesworth today released a report examining critical injuries and deaths of Métis children and youth. “Invisible Children: A Descriptive……
July 23, 2020
Other Child Welfare Stats
Interrupted Childhoods: Over-Representation of Indigenous and Black Children in Ontario child welfare
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released Interrupted Childhoods: Over-representation of Indigenous and Black children in Ontario child welfare. The report outlines findings from its public interest……
April 12, 2018
Federal Government Data Strategy
Federal Government Commitment to Data Strategy
A report on children and families together: An Emergency Meeting on Indigenous child and family services. Jan. 25 – 26, 2018 Relevant Government of Canada……
January 25, 2018
Federal Government Data Strategy
Emergency Meeting on Child Welfare
Global recommendation It is recommended that all representatives who participated in the Emergency Meeting work towards the following goals: Collaborate on a national child welfare……
January 23, 2018
Federal Statistics
Average Maintenance Costs per Child: 2010-2019
YearIndigenous Children In CareAverage Maintenance CostsPer ChildTotal Expenditures2010-20119,241$36,799.88$579.12011-20129,423$38,532.95$618.62012-20139,482$35,980.41$627.42013-20148,675$38,558.60$637.82014-20158,428$40,142.79$647.52015-20168,488$42,262,78$676.82016-20179,078$41,353.10$762.62017-20189,247$43,592.52$837.62018-20199,312$46.048.11$1,243.6 Table 3: Proportion of Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal children (0-4) in foster care, Canada, 2016Table summaryThis table displays the……
January, 1970
Provincial Statistics
% Indigenous Children in Care
Province# of Indig. children in care (0-15 yrs)Indigenous Population (0-15 yrs)% Children in Care# of Fully Delegated Indigenous agenciesBC8.0%55%24 of 30Alberta9.0%69%18 of 25Saskatchewan25.0%65%17 of 21Manitoba23%87%17……
January, 1970