Joint Commitment to Policy and Funding Reform for First Nations Child and Family Services in Ontario

Press Release

April 12, 2018 – Toronto, ONTARIO     – Indigenous Services Canada

A shared priority for Canada, Ontario and Chiefs of Ontario is to improve outcomes and opportunities for all First Nations children, youth, and families in Ontario, and to reduce the number of First Nations children and youth in care.

Today, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Federal Minister of Indigenous Services, the Chiefs of Ontario leadership, and the Honourable Michael Coteau, Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Community and Social Services, and Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism met to discuss First Nations child and family services in Ontario. This meeting was a follow-up to the Emergency Meeting Minister Philpott hosted in Ottawa on January 25-26, 2018, on Indigenous Child and Family Services.

At today’s meeting, participants jointly committed to work together to develop new policy and funding approaches to support reform of First Nations child and family services in Ontario. This work recognizes, in particular, the need to shift focus to more comprehensive approaches that support better outcomes by focusing on an expanded range of prevention services.

As part of this work, Canada, Ontario, and First Nations are also working together on an Ontario Special Study, which will provide options for new First Nations child and family well-being policy and funding approaches that are child-centered, community-directed, and support better outcomes by focusing on prevention.

Today’s meeting represents a positive step forward in our work together on policy and funding reform of First Nations child and family services that can improve outcomes for First Nations children, youth, and families in Ontario.

Quotes

“My mandate, as Minister of Indigenous Services, is to develop an improved response to child welfare that focuses on the best interests of the child.  Budget 2018 sets the stage for the transformation of First Nations child and family services to focus on prevention, family preservation and wellbeing, and community wellness. Our shared goal is to develop a new funding approach for First Nations child and family services in Ontario. Today’s joint commitment outlines our path forward for Ontario, as we continue to work together to ensure that Indigenous Children are safe and supported within their communities.”

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

“The importance of laying a framework for recognizing First Nation jurisdiction on Child Welfare is the most vital policy discussion that we face; as Ontario First Nations, Canada and Ontario meet on the matter. A cooperative and coordinated outcome will be our primary effort as we organize these first steps – the authority to choose the best path forward will ultimately rest with our First Nation leadership and Child Welfare authorities. There can be no other option but full First Nation control.”

Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day
Chiefs of Ontario

“Ontario is committed to working collaboratively with First Nations partners and Canada to reduce the number of First Nations children in care, and ensure that all First Nations children have equitable access to child and family services that are sustainably funded, and that support positive outcomes across a child’s lifespan. Today’s joint commitment on funding reform represents a critical step forward in reaching that goal. Ontario looks forward to continuing to work closely with our First Nations partners and Canada on the funding reform needed to improve outcomes and opportunities for all First Nations children, youth, and families.”

The Honourable Michael Coteau, MPP, Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Community and Social Services, and Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism

Quick facts

• At the Emergency Meeting in January 2018, Canada committed to six points of action that it will implement, together with Indigenous partners, to reform the child welfare system and reduce the number of children in care.
• Budget 2018 provides $1.4 billion in new funding over six years, starting in 2017-18, to address funding pressures facing First Nations child and family service agencies, while also increasing prevention resources for communities so that children are safe and families can stay together.
• The Province of Ontario has advanced reforms in the area of First Nations child and family services, in particular through its “Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy”, co-developed with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners in Ontario, and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017.
• The Chiefs of Ontario are leading the Ontario Special Study in collaboration with Canada and Ontario through the Technical Table on Child and Family Well-Being. The Study is being co-funded by Canada and Ontario.

Associated links

• Federal Government commits to six points of action in working with Indigenous partners to address number of Indigenous children in care
• Moving Beyond the 1965 Agreement to Improve Support to Children and Families in Ontario First Nations
• Chiefs of Ontario
• Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services
• Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy
• Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017

Contacts

Rachel Rappaport
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Indigenous Services
819-934-2796

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160

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