(Ottawa) Ottawa has set aside $ 40 billion to compensate Indigenous children and undertake long-term reforms to the child welfare system in First Peoples communities.
Two sources, who spoke to The Canadian Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, say an announcement is due on Monday.
A source says the $ 40 billion will be included in the finance minister’s fall economic statement on Tuesday. This does not mean that Ottawa has reached an agreement with child protection advocates over the compensation the Human Rights Tribunal ordered it to pay to Indigenous children.
The parties have until the end of December to reach an agreement on the matter.
Negotiations began after the federal government announced in late October that it wanted to reach an out-of-court settlement with Indigenous leaders over compensation for children who were victims of underfunding of childcare services. childhood and family in their community.
A Federal Court ruling earlier this fall upheld orders that require Ottawa to pay $ 40,000 in damages to each of the thousands of Indigenous children removed from their homes, as well as some of their families. relatives.