THE FIRST NATIONS CHILD AND FAMILY CARING SOCIETY FILE A MOTION WITH THE CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL TO ADDRESS CANADA’S FAILURE TO NEGOTIATE NATIONALLY ON FIRST NATIONS CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES REFORM

Press Release

January 14, 2025

In response to Canada’s refusal to negotiate a national path to ending its discrimination in First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS), the Caring Society has filed a motion with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) seeking orders to compel Canada to return to the negotiation table. Canada, the discriminator, cannot choose which of its child victims receive justice. Every child matters.

On January 7, 2025, the Government of Canada, along with the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation, announced they intend to reach a FNCFS long-term reform final settlement agreement that is only for Ontario First Nations. On January 10, 2025, Canada informed the Caring Society that their mandate does not permit further national-level negotiations for FNCFS long-term reform. Canada’s decision to only negotiate with First Nations organizations that agreed with its flawed settlement agreement is contrary to good faith negotiations and Honour of the Crown and smacks of retaliatory conduct. Canada’s colonial divide-and-conquer approach cannot continue.

In October 2024, First Nations-in-Assembly overwhelmingly passed resolutions to set forward a plan to end Canada’s discrimination in FNCFS and Jordan’s Principle for all First Nations children. First Nations-in-Assembly made it clear that the draft agreement did not provide sufficient protections for all First Nations children now and in the future. There was no protection in the draft agreement for children from Canada’s discrimination after year 10. Generations of First Nations children would once again be at risk of losing their childhoods and their lives to Canada’s discrimination. Canada must follow the direction provided by Rights Holders and end its retaliation towards First Nations that found the draft agreement to be insufficient to stopping the discrimination against First Nations children. Canada’s conduct raises serious concerns that must be addressed legally unless Canada returns to the table and negotiates in good faith.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Cindy Blackstock, PhD
Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada info@fncaringsociety.com

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