Current Problems: Child Welfare (1-5)
Exploring Theme: "Canadian Human Rights Tribunal"
Updates on this page: 48
November 7, 2024
United Delegation of Dene Leaders on Special Chiefs’ Assembly – Long-term Reform of The First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program
NationTalk: YELLOWKNIFE, DENENDEH – The Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly on Child Welfare and Long-Term Reform was hosted on October 15th-18th, 2024, along with Indigenous leaders representing First Nations across Canada. The Dene Nation brought a large delegation to advocate for fair and equitable inclusion of the Northwest Territories (NWT) and our children...
October 25, 2024
AFN chiefs at odds after $47.8-billion child-welfare deal rejected
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, second right, led the negotiations and pushed for it to be approved. CHRISTINNE MUSCHI/THE CANADIAN PRESS The Globe and Mail: Chiefs with the Assembly of First Nations will meet before the end of the year to try to amend a historic $47.8-billion child-care agreement with Ottawa that they ultimately rejected,...
October 23, 2024
Blood Tribe welcomes rejection of child welfare settlement
NationTalk; Lethbridge Herald – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) late last week rejected a $47.8 billion sett:ement agreement on long-term reform of First Nations child and family services after a three-day debate in Calgary. In a statement from Makiinima Chief Roy Fox released on Monday, he says the Blood Tribe welcomes the rejection as...
October 23, 2024
More Jurisdiction, BC Representation Needed for Children and Families Agreement: First Nations Leadership Council
NationTalk: (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) First Nations Chiefs and proxies from British Columbia gathered on Treaty 7 territory in Calgary for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly to discuss and vote on a resolution regarding the proposed draft final settlement agreement for reforming the First Nations Child and...
October 22, 2024
Opinion | I’ve negotiated settlements with First Nations. This is why chiefs rejected the feds’ deal last week
By Michael Bryant Contributor Toronto Star: Michael Bryant served as Ontario’s minister of Aboriginal Affairs and attorney general in the Liberal McGuinty Government. He has taught, published and litigated in the field and currently works with Ishkonigan Mediation and Negotiation. When 60 per cent of the Assembly of First Nations chiefs voted last week not to ratify a multibillion...
October 18, 2024
Chiefs of Ontario remain committed to ending the discrimination against children living on-reserve
NationTalk: (Treaty No. 7 Territory, Calgary, AB.) The Chiefs of Ontario will continue to fight for on-reserve children facing systemic discrimination through First Nations Child and Family Service Program. Chiefs and Proxies from across Canada voted against a resolution supporting the $47.8 billion Final Agreement aimed at reforming the discriminatory program funding at this week’s...
October 18, 2024
Chiefs in Calgary pass resolution to re-negotiate child welfare deal with Ottawa
The special chiefs assembly in Calgary wrapped up in Calgary with a resolution to re-negotiate the child welfare deal with Canada. Photo: Leanne Sanders/APTN. APTN News: Chiefs at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) gathering in Calgary voted in favour of a resolution to go back to the federal government to re-negotiate an agreement on...
October 18, 2024
First Nations leaders call for overhaul of negotiation process for child welfare reform deal
Resolutions passed to create new commission to renegotiate settlement agreement CBC Indigenous: First Nations chiefs from across Canada are calling for a new negotiation process after voting to reject a settlement agreement on long-term reform of First Nations child and family services. On Friday, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) wrapped up a three-day meeting in Calgary to debate...
October 18, 2024
‘Great opportunity now to reset:’ says Cindy Blackstock after chiefs vote against AFN deal on child welfare
Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society addresses the chiefs in Calgary. Photo: Leanne Sanders/APTN. APTN News: One of the key figures in fighting Canada to improve child welfare for First Nations children is ready to get to work after 267 chiefs voted against moving forward with the tri-partite...
October 17, 2024
First Nations vote down resolution to endorse $47.8B child welfare reform offer
Chiefs from across Canada voted Thursday at special assembly CBC Indigenous: First Nations chiefs and proxies from across Canada voted down a resolution to fully accept a settlement agreement on long-term reform of First Nations child and family services. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is hosting a special three-day meeting in Calgary, in a...
October 16, 2024
Chiefs gather in Calgary to vote on $47.8B child welfare reform proposal
Child advocate Cindy Blackstock concerned deal on ‘long-term’ reform lasts 9 years CBC Indigenous: A leading child advocate is recommending against a 10-year, $47.8-billion proposal to reform the First Nations child and family services program, as chiefs from across Canada gather in Calgary to vote on it. Cindy Blackstock says the deal is not enough to...
October 16, 2024
AFN leader questions if Tories would top $47.8B child welfare reform offer, urges chiefs to back it
National chief tells delegates ‘time is running out’ for Trudeau’s Liberals CBC Indigenous: The head of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is urging chiefs to back a multibillion-dollar child welfare reform agreement to get it in place before the next election, questioning whether a Conservative government would top it. “Time is running out on this...
September 12, 2024
Tribunal urges First Nations, feds to ‘leave their conflicts aside’ on Jordan’s Principle issues
Hearing on alleged mishandling of children’s program concludes with imploring speech from chair CBC Indigenous: Come together for the children’s sake. That was the blunt message the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal gave the federal government and First Nations organizations as the latest hearing in a complex, 17-year-old human rights complaint concluded Thursday in Ottawa. “I...
August 21, 2024
AFN national chief promotes child welfare agreement, as expert raises concerns
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak gives her opening address at the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly in Montreal. Photo: Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press. APTN News: The Canada Press -The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says there are 47.8 billion reasons for chiefs to accept a child welfare reform deal with Canada, but...
July 12, 2024
‘Why wasn’t Cindy invited?’: Blackstock unaware of AFN’s child welfare announcement
Cindy Blackstock at the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly in Montreal. Photo: Kerry Slack/APTN News APTN News: Cindy Blackstock was notably absent from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) announcement Thursday confirming a $47.8 billion child welfare deal Thursday. Blackstock, a member of the Gitxsan First Nation in B.C. and executive director of...
June 26, 2024
More health supports needed as billions in child welfare compensation set to roll out: advocates
According to a survey, survivors of the child welfare system want help ‘with their experiences and challenges’ and ‘continued support after compensation.’ Photo: APTN. APTN News: Advocates for survivors of the child welfare system say more support is needed across the country as $23 billion in compensation is set to roll out. More than 150,000...
June 25, 2024
AFN national chief says child-welfare funding to top $20B as chiefs raise concerns
National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak speaks during a news conference on Parliament Hill, Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld NationTalk: The Canadian Press – The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says it is about to finalize a deal with Ottawa on child-welfare...
January 17, 2024
First Nations groups concerned after delay in $20B child-welfare reform talks
Reform deal comprises half of the proposed $40-billion settlement announced in 2021 CBC Indigenous: The federal government says it’s willing to speed up negotiations to reform the on-reserve child-welfare system, after First Nations groups blamed Ottawa for a months-long “standstill,” raising concerns a final deal could be at risk. The high-stakes talks were “subject to a...
December 7, 2023
Concerns raised as compensation for children-in-care settlement set to roll out next year
“When you think about it, it’s probably one of the single most important committees that will have ever been established here at the AFN…” — Mary Teegee of Takla First Nation Mary Teegee and Regena Crowchild voice their concerns that there were no women appointed to the child services settlement implementation committee. Windspeaker.com: Children living...
October 23, 2023
Judge to decide fate of $23B First Nations child welfare compensation
Cindy Blackstock says prime minister can’t apologize as long as there’s ongoing discrimination CBC News: The Federal Court will be asked this week to approve $23 billion in compensation for First Nations children and families who experienced racial discrimination through Ottawa’s chronic underfunding of the on-reserve foster care system and other family services. If approved, the proposed settlement...
October 15, 2023
Ottawa fighting to avoid paying $80M in First Nations child welfare legal fees
Federal government calls proposed legal bill ‘excessive,’ while class action lawyers defend request CBC News: Ottawa is opposing more than $80 million in legal fees requested by class action lawyers for their work on a historic, multi-billion dollar proposed settlement for First Nations child welfare, CBC News has learned. Five legal firms are seeking $80...
July 28, 2023
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Applauds Historic $23 Billion Settlement for First Nations Children and Families
NationTalk: Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is proud to stand alongside First Nations across the nation in celebrating a momentous milestone in the pursuit of social justice and reconciliation for First Nations children across Turtle Island. “Since the days of the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood, First Nations leadership in Manitoba...
July 27, 2023
Caring Society Statement on CHRT Letter-Decision Approving Revised FSA on Compensation
NationTalk: July 26, 2023 – Canadian Human Rights Tribunal approves $23.4 Billion Compensation package for First Nations children, youth and families This thoughtful landmark Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision approving compensation recognizes the egregious harms flowing from Canada’s willful and reckless discrimination against First Nations children, youth and families and ensures all victims receive the...
July 26, 2023
Human rights tribunal approves revised First Nations child welfare deal
APTN News: The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) has approved a revised deal between the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Canada over compensation for thousands of First Nations children on reserve who were caught up in the child welfare system. “The Tribunal finds that the revised First Nations Child and Family Services, Jordan’s Principle...
March 9, 2023
Stop the discrimination and prevent it from re-occurring: Updates on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal case – Caring Society
NationTalk: INTRODUCTION: In 2007, the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society (Caring Society) and the Assembly of First Nations(AFN) filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission alleging that Canada was discriminating against First Nations children by improperly funding child welfare on reserve and in the Yukon and failing to implement the full...
February 14, 2023
First Nations child-welfare talks yield ‘substantial progress’ toward amended settlement
Drafting of revised $20B deal to be finalized over the next few weeks, letter says CBC News: The Canadian government and the Assembly of First Nations are reporting “substantial progress” toward revising a proposed $20-billion settlement package for victims of the chronically underfunded on-reserve child-welfare system, court records say. All parties in the ongoing class-action lawsuit “have agreed...
January 25, 2023
Ottawa to begin ‘intense’ talks to rewrite First Nations child welfare compensation deal
The goal of the two-day meeting next month is to reach a partial or complete resolution CBC News: Ottawa will attempt to renegotiate its $20-billion compensation package for people affected by the First Nations child welfare system, court records say. Federal officials are expected to begin “intense confidential discussions” on Feb. 7 and 8 to re-work...
December 22, 2022
Human rights tribunal says Indigenous Services minister, AFN misled public on $20B child welfare deal
Federal minister, national First Nations advocacy organization didn’t say some victims would be left out CBC News: Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu and the Assembly of First Nations misled the public by not disclosing the fact that their $20-billion child welfare compensation deal left out some victims and reduced payments for others, says the Canadian...
December 9, 2022
AFN First Nations-in-Assembly pass resolution by consensus on compensation for children and families
Assembly of First Nations: Ottawa, ON) – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) announced that First Nations-in-Assembly have passed two crucial resolutions this week directing the AFN on a path forward on compensation and long-term reform. One resolution advances the AFN’s priorities on securing compensation for First Nations children and families who experienced egregious harms...
December 2, 2022
Caring Society Briefing: Canada and AFN seek judicial review of the CHRT Letter – Decision on the class action Final Settlement Agreement
NationTalk: On October 24, 2022, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (Tribunal) issued a Letter-Decision stating that the class action Final Settlement Agreement (FSA) signed by Canada, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), and other class action parties, does not fully satisfy its compensation orders stemming from 2019 CHRT 39 and upheld by the Federal Court...
November 28, 2022
Update on Compensation and Long-Term Reform to the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan’s Principle
Assembly of First Nations: SUMMARY: On November 23, 2022, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) filed an application for judicial review of the recent Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s (CHRT) decision regarding a proposed settlement on the payment of compensation to victims of Canada’s discrimination under the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan’s...
November 25, 2022
Update on Compensation and Long-Term Reform to the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan’s Principle
SUMMARY: On November 23, 2022, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) filed an application for judicial review of the recent Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s (CHRT) decision regarding a proposed settlement on the payment of compensation to victims of Canada’s discrimination under the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan’s Principle. The AFN signed...
November 24, 2022
‘Contrary to reconciliation’: Ottawa sending mixed message about deal to compensate First Nations children, advocate charges
Ottawa says its latest move doesn’t mean compensation will be blocked from flowing to children and families harmed by Canada’s discriminatory on-reserve child welfare system. Toronto Star: OTTAWA—For Cindy Blackstock, the federal government’s move to seek a judicial review of a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling that rejected part of a First Nations child welfare...
November 23, 2022
Canada to seek judicial review of tribunal ruling on child welfare deal
APTN News: Indigenous Services Canada: The minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)says Canada will seek a judicial review of a ruling from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) that refused to endorse a $20-billion deal that was reached with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). The money in the Final Settlement Agreement, or FSA, was...
November 18, 2022
AFN hasn’t ruled out court challenge to tribunal’s child welfare decision, regional chief says
Legal clocks are ticking for Ottawa, AFN following tribunal’s refusal to declare compensation order fulfilled Brett Forester · CBC News · Posted: Nov 18, 2022 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: November 18 The Assembly of First Nations hasn’t ruled out taking the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to court over its rejection of a multi-billion-dollar proposed class-action settlement with...
October 26, 2022
FNLC calls on Canada to reengage with negotiating parties in light of the CHRT’s decision regarding the Final Settlement Agreement
NationTalk: (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has released its decision regarding the Final Settlement Agreement (“FSA”) regarding compensation for the victim/survivor class members of the child welfare system. There were two key aspects of the CHRT’s decision, one is confirmation that not all classes of victims/survivors are...
October 25, 2022
Update on Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Decision on the Final Settlement Agreement on Compensation
SUMMARY: On October 25, 2022, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) released a letter decision, a summary of its reasons for its decision, confirming that it would not endorse the Final Settlement Agreement (FSA) on Compensation. The CHRT found that the FSA substantially, but not completely, satisfies its orders related to compensation of certain groups...
October 25, 2022
Ottawa’s $40B First Nations child welfare deal torpedoed by Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
Tribunal says Ottawa’s deal leaves some children out, short-changes others CBC: A key part of a $40 billion dollar First Nations child welfare agreement described as “historic” by the federal government could unravel following a ruling Tuesday by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. The tribunal rejected Ottawa’s $20 billion offer to compensate First Nations children...
September 22, 2022
AFN Bulletin – Update on First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Compensation
Assembly of First Nations: SUMMARY: The AFN appeared before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) on September 15 and 16, 2022, to seek the CHRT’s endorsement of the $20-billion Final Settlement Agreement to compensate First Nations children and families harmed by discriminatory underfunding of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and for the...
September 15, 2022
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society Statement: September 15, 2022
The following is in response to the Attorney General of Canada (Canada) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) compensation motion being heard by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal today and tomorrow. In February of 2021, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) ordered Canada to pay $40,000 in human rights compensation to First Nations children,...
July 4, 2022
Final settlement agreement reached in $20B First Nations child welfare class action
Deal signed following six months of confidential negotiations but still must be approved by the court and human rights tribunal APTN: The Canadian government and class-action lawyers have reached a final settlement agreement that, if approved, would see $20 billion paid out to victims of the country’s purposefully underfunded First Nations child-welfare system. Thousands of...
April 6, 2022
Two Agreements-in Principle: Long-Term Reform to First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan’s Principle
Assembly of First Nations: While the important work toward long-term reform of the FNCFS Program and proper implementation of Jordan’s Principle continues at the negotiation table, the AFN has also advocated for critical, immediate reforms implemented on April 1, 2022. Beginning April 1, 2022, First Nations young adults reaching the age of majority while in...
April 4, 2022
External review of Indigenous Services Canada’s discriminatory policies against First Nations children
Regina Leader-Post: The work will happen as part of a $40-billion agreement-in-principle reached last December between the federal Liberal government and groups including the Assembly of First Nations, Chiefs of Ontario and lawyers for two related class-action lawsuits. The arrangement will see Ottawa pay $20 billion in compensation to First Nations children who were harmed...
January 26, 2022
CHRT Judicial Reviews
First Judicial Review: Ruling on immediate relief concerning Jordan’s Principle, cited as 2017 CHRT 14 (“the May 26th Orders”). On June 23, 2017, Canada filed an application for judicial review of certain aspects of the May 26th Orders, seeking to quash paragraphs thereof prohibiting Canada from engaging in case conferencing and requiring Canada to complete...
January 4, 2022
Two Agreements-in-Principle
Federal Government – In a total settlement package valued at $40 billion, the AFN, the Government of Canada and other parties signed two Agreements-in-Principle on December 31, 2021. First Agreements-in-Principle proposes a total settlement of $20 billion in compensation to First Nations children and families impacted by discrimination through the FNCFS program and the improper...
October 29, 2021
Federal Government’s Protective Appeal
Toronto Star – The federal government has launched a “protective appeal” of the Federal Court’s Sept. 29, 2021 decision dismissing Ottawa’s appeals of two human rights tribunal rulings concerning First Nations child welfare compensation and protection. The court upheld a 2019 ruling of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal that ordered Ottawa to pay $40,000 —...
August 26, 2021
Compliance and Procedural Orders
On August 26, 2021, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issued a letter-decision to clarify and reinforce previous rulings for the purpose of ongoing negotiations and communication between all the parties. The CHRT confirms that funding of buildings and additional capital assets that support the delivery of FNCFS and Jordan’s Principle programs and prevention services must...
January 26, 2016
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) released a ruling (2016 CHRT 2) that found Canada discriminates against First Nations children by providing less child welfare funding to help keep them safe and by not implementing Jordan’s Principle to give them the services they need, when they need them. The CHRT ordered Canada to immediately stop...
Filter This Page
chevron_rightby Indigenous Group
chevron_rightby Stakeholder
- Other
- Provinces and Territories
- Federal Government