Ottawa reveals details of child-welfare agreement

The federal government has laid out the details of its $40-billion child-welfare settlement.

On Tuesday, the government said it had reached an agreement in principle with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, the Assembly of First Nations and others to compensate children harmed by the lack of government funding of child welfare.

Half of the funding will go to compensating affected children and the other $20 billion will be spent on reforming the system over a five-year period.

First Nations children living on reserve and in the Yukon who were removed from their homes between April 1, 1991, and March 31 of this year are eligible to be compensated, in addition to their parents and caregivers.

That includes those affected by what the government calls its narrow definition of Jordan’s Principle between Dec. 12, 2007, and Nov. 2, 2017. Children who didn’t receive an essential public service or product from April 1, 1991, and Dec. 11, 2007 also are eligible.

According to The Canadian Press, Jordan’s Principle “is a measure stipulating that jurisdictional disputes should not get in the way of providing services to First Nations children.”

Reports say the Assembly of First Nations has estimated more than 200,000 children and youth could be eligible for compensation.

In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that $40,000 should go to each First Nations child who was placed in foster care unnecessarily.

“Our expectation is that $40,000 is the floor and there may be circumstances where people are entitled to more,” Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu told reporters Tuesday.

“This settlement will provide some compensation for First Nations children for historic injustices,” David Pratt, a vice-chief with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, said in a media release.

“We have Treaty and inherent rights to self-determination, which embodies sovereignty over our children. We envision a new path forward with meaningful dialogue to prevent the harm that has been experienced by First Nations children.

“We need to help our children and young people rebuild their lives through reconnection in First Nation communities, revitalization in culture, languages, and traditions. We will reclaim our children and create a better tomorrow defined by our Indigenous worldview.”

The government says final settlement agreements must be finalized by March 31.

— With files from The Canadian Press