Historic milestone in landmark human rights case

Summary:

The Canadian Human Rights Commission has welcomed a landmark Federal Court ruling, which brings to an end a lengthy legal process that began in 2007 as a human rights complaint on behalf of First Nations children and their families. The complaint was filed by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, along with the Assembly of First Nations, alleging discriminatory underfunding of child and family services by the Government of Canada. The Canadian Human Rights Commission participated in the proceedings on behalf of the public interest, which ultimately led to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling in favor of the complainants and ordering the federal government to reform the child and family services program.

As a result, the Federal Court has approved an unprecedented settlement of $23.4 billion dollars for First Nations children, youth, and families who were harmed by the discriminatory underfunding of services. The settlement stems from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s decision in 2016, which upheld the complaint and found that the First Nations Child and Family Services Program was discriminatory. The Tribunal also ordered the federal government to implement Jordan’s Principle, a child-first principle that ensures First Nations children can access the products, services, and supports they need, when they need them.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission has lauded the dedication and commitment of the parties involved in the legal process, including Dr. Cindy Blackstock, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, the Assembly of First Nations, and all those who have worked tirelessly to ensure the voices of the children, their families, and communities were heard. The Commission emphasizes the importance of distributing the settlement fairly and swiftly, as well as continuing work on program reform to prevent similar situations from arising in the future.

Background:

2007: The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, along with the Assembly of First Nations, filed a human rights complaint against the Government of Canada on behalf of First Nations children and families.
January 2016: The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal released its decision upholding the complaint and confirming that the First Nations Child and Family Services Program was discriminatory.
2016: The Tribunal ordered the federal government to reform the child and family services program and implement Jordan’s Principle.
[Current year]: The Federal Court has approved the $23.4 billion settlement for First Nations children, youth, and families harmed by the discriminatory underfunding of services.