Our Children Our Way Society Welcomes New Ruling from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, Demands Immediate Action from Canada on Jordan’s Principle

For Immediate Release – November 22, 2024

K’emk’emelay̓ (Vancouver, BC). The Our Children Our Way Society is applauding the latest ruling from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) which reinforces the obligation of the Government of Canada to eliminate its systemic discrimination against First Nations children. The ruling comes after the Caring Society filed a non-compliance motion in December 2023, highlighting Canada’s ongoing failure to fully implement Jordan’s Principle, a legal requirement that ensures First Nations children have access to the services and supports they need when they need them.

Jordan’s Principle was established to guarantee that First Nations children are never forced to wait for essential services or supports because of jurisdictional disputes between governments. However, the Caring Society’s complaint documented numerous failures on Canada’s part to abide by the Tribunal’s previous orders, including:

• A backlog of thousands of requests for services that remain unopened;
• Response times that far exceed the Tribunal’s timelines for decisions;
• Unnecessary eligibility criteria that hinder access to services;
• Long delays in the issuance of payments for approved requests;
• A lack of clear accountability measures to ensure proper implementation.

In its ruling, the CHRT ordered Canada to immediately address the backlog of requests and report back to the Tribunal by December 10, 2024, with a clear plan for resolution. The Tribunal also ordered the Government of Canada to work collaboratively with the parties to the complaint, including the Caring Society, to co-develop solutions to improve the implementation of Jordan’s Principle. The parties are scheduled to return to the Tribunal on January 9, 2025, with mutually agreed-upon solutions or options for further orders from the Tribunal.

The CHRT’s ruling carries significant implications not only for Jordan’s Principle but also for broader efforts to reform First Nations child and family services. The Tribunal’s repeated emphasis on the need for “sufficient and sustainable resources” sends a powerful message that Canada cannot address this discrimination without a substantial, long-term commitment of resources.

“We urge the Government of Canada to stop dragging its feet and start putting the necessary resources into ensuring that First Nations children receive the care and services they deserve. The time for action is now,” says Mary Teegee, Chair of the Our Children Our Way Society.

The Our Children Our Way Society remains committed to advocating for systemic change and will continue to work with the Caring Society, First Nations communities, and other partners to ensure that the voices of First Nations children and families are heard, and their rights are respected.

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For further comment, please contact: Mary Teegee, Maaxswxw Gibuu

Chair, Our Children Our Way Society, Tel: 250-612-8710