Bill C-92 Introduced in Parliament: An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Children, Youth and Families

Press Release

February 28, 2019 — Ottawa, Unceded Traditional Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada

At the opening of Parliament today, Indigenous Services Minister, Seamus O’Regan, introduced Bill C-92, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. Co-developed with Indigenous partners, Bill C-92 seeks to affirm Indigenous peoples’ inherent right to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services.

A celebration will be held in Ottawa later this morning with partners, including the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Métis National Council.

A further news release will follow.

Quick facts

According to Census 2016, Indigenous children represent 52.2% of children in foster care in private homes in Canada, but account for only 7.7% of the overall population of children under 15.
The first five Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada relate to child welfare, including Call to Action #4 which calls “upon the federal government to enact Aboriginal child-welfare legislation”.
Budget 2016 included new funding of $634.8 million over five years, and Budget 2018 included new funding of $1.4 billion over six years in the First Nations Child and Family Services Program to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Indigenous children.
In 2018-2019, the total First Nations Child and Family Services Program funding under Indigenous Services Canada is more than $1.1 billion.