OTTAWA -- Government is taking action to end discrimination against Indigenous Peoples.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, and the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on Monday released a statement regarding ongoing negotiations on compensation and long-term reform of First Nations child and family services.
“It is our collective duty and responsibility to end discrimination against Indigenous Peoples. This means redressing harms and ending discriminatory practices still in place today.”
On October 29, 2021, The Federal Government and Parties announced that they have been engaged in discussions to reach a global resolution to address outstanding litigation related to compensation and long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle.
At that time, the Government indicated that they had made considerable progress, and that discussions continue to arrive to a final statement.
Honourable Patti Hajdu’s and Honourable Marc Miller’s joint announcement thanked all Parties, “We thank all Parties,the Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and Moushoom/Trout, for their work and shared commitment to this process. We also thank the Honourable Murray Sinclair and his team for facilitating these negotiations.”
The Ministers continued by saying that, “the survivors of residential schools identified child welfare and Jordan’s Principle as their top Calls to Action. Honouring them means we must do the work they asked of us by focusing on the health and well being of First Nations children, youth, families as an essential part of our journey of reconciliation.”
Both Honourable Patti Hadju, Minister of Indigenous Services and Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations also stated that, “We have been unequivocal throughout these negotiation: we will compensate those harmed by the federal government’s discriminatory funding practices and we will lay foundation for an equitable and better future for First Nations children, their families and communities.”
They continued by saying that, “Tragically, no amount of money can reverse the harms experienced by First Nations children or return years lost by separation from their families, communities, and culture. Historic injustices require historic reparations.”
It was indicated in their announcement that on Dec. 14, 2021, the Economic and Fiscal Update will show that the Government of Canada is supplying $40 billion to provide compensation and to commit funds necessary to implement long-term reform so that future generations of First nations children will never face the same systemic tragedies.
The Government indicated it will set out a plan to end the discriminatory underfunding and prevent it from reoccurring in the future.
Both Patti Hadju, Minister of Indigenous Services and Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous-relations ended their announcement by indicating that they will be providing further details on the outcome of their discussions by Dec. 31, 2021.
