(Ottawa) The federal government has signed two agreements in principle totaling $ 40 billion to compensate hundreds of thousands of Indigenous children taken from their families by social services for decades.
“We have been waiting for a long time for this historic settlement of 40 billion,” reacted the regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations in Manitoba, Cindy Woodhouse, at a press conference. The organization began raising the issue of Indigenous children unfairly removed from their families 30 years ago.
This would end several litigation before the courts. The first $ 20 billion deal concerns First Nations children on reserve and in the Yukon who were removed from their homes on 1er April 1991 to March 31, 2022. Their parents or guardians may also receive compensation.
PHOTO PATRICK DOYLE, REUTERS
Cindy Woodhouse, Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in Manitoba
The envelope will also be used for those who did not receive the care they should have received due to jurisdictional disputes, before and after the House of Commons passed Jordan’s Principle. It stated that aboriginal children should get the services they need first, when there is a conflict between the federal government and a provincial government or between two departments over who will foot the bill. However, the federal government has interpreted it narrowly for years.
The second agreement in principle includes $ 20 billion that will be allocated over five years to end discrimination. The money will be used to reform the federal First Nations child and family services program, support young adults leaving it, help families stay together and provide housing on reserve.
” It was time ”
The announcement was made during a press conference between Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller, and Justice Minister David Lametti. The Assembly of First Nations, the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the Chiefs of Ontario and class action lawyers Moushoom and Trout also attended.
It was time. I had said this before when I was appointed to my post that battles in court serve no one.
Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada was absent. 14 years ago, this organization launched the lawsuit for Indigenous children to obtain justice with the Assembly of First Nations. “Although this is an important first step, this tentative agreement is not binding,” noted its director, Cindy Blackstock.
The federal government had given itself until December 31 to reach an agreement with these two organizations. He began negotiations on October 29, the same day he appealed a judgment from the Federal Court of Appeal upholding an order from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Retired Senator Murray Sinclair was appointed in November to oversee the negotiation of such compensation.
PHOTO PATRICK DOYLE, REUTERS
Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
The court ordered the federal government to pay $ 40,000 to each First Nations child torn from their families due to chronic underfunding of children’s services, as well as their parents or grandparents. This is the maximum penalty he could impose. Children who have been removed from their families for longer could now receive a larger amount.
When we have a final agreement, it is our intention to withdraw our appeal.
David Lametti, Minister of Justice
Compensation could be paid to more than 215,000 children, according to class action lawyers. However, the number of eligible people may be greater if they include their parents or grandparents.
The money will not be available for months, however, since these agreements will have to be ratified by the courts. The parties have given themselves until March 31 to reach a final agreement, and how the compensation will be distributed remains to be determined.