Feds earmark $1.55 billion to support Jordan's Principle

The federal government is providing $1.55 billion in funding through 2027 to support Jordan's Principle, which aims to ensure First Nations children have equal access to services; child welfare advocates have raised concerns about an operational bulletin and a reported backlog of about 130,000 cases.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty is expected to announce $1.55 billion in federal funding to support Jordan's Principle, a legal principle that says First Nations children must have equal access to social and health services. Jordan's Principle was affirmed in a 2007 unanimous House motion to prevent delays caused by jurisdictional disputes. The funding is reported to last until 2027. The announcement comes amid criticism over an operational bulletin that narrowed the scope of services covered and concerns from advocates about case backlogs. Key details: - The funding amount reported is $1.55 billion and is slated to cover services through 2027. - Jordan's Principle requires that First Nations children receive necessary social and health services without delays from jurisdictional disagreements. - MPs unanimously passed a motion in 2007 committing to timely services for First Nations children. - Child welfare advocate Cindy Blackstock has called for changes to the operational bulletin and asked what will happen if funding runs out before year-end. - Blackstock cited a backlog of about 130,000 Jordan's Principle cases in raising concerns. - Minister Gull-Masty also announced $115 million last week to renew the Inuit Child First Initiative, described as the Inuit equivalent of Jordan's Principle. Summary: The funding is presented as a federal effort to support access to services for First Nations children and to reinforce Jordan's Principle. Advocates have raised questions about recent operational changes and a large reported backlog of cases; how those issues will be resolved is undetermined at this time.