INDIGENOUS CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM UNDERGOES MASSIVE HISTORIC $47.8B OVERHAUL
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Posted by Shelby Percival
- Posted in BlogsNews
[IMAGE – Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, at AFN Annual General Assembly in Montreal (July 11, 2024)]
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (“NAN”), through Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and Deputy Grand Chief Bobby Narcisse, announced on July 11th, 2024, the NAN executive’s support for a historic package of reforms to the Indigenous child welfare system. Valued at $47.8 billion over a 10-year period this landmark settlement represents a long-needed overhaul to support children.
For NAN, it has been an eight year journey to ensure children in remote communities get justice. In order to create a voice for remote communities, NAN, represented by Falconers LLP, originally sought standing before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in 2016. To this end, NAN was successful in negotiating national remoteness adjustments that range from 3o% to over 100% for communities who face the serious challenges inherent in remoteness. Never before has this kind of unique indexing of the costs faced by remote communities been incorporated into funding decisions of this magnitude.
As a result of NAN’s advocacy, this Final Settlement Agreement reflects a significant step toward fairness in funding and improving services for children, youth, and families in NAN communities and beyond.
The team at Falconers LLP, Julian Falconer, Meaghan Daniels, David Schwartz, and Brett Robins, are honoured to continue to support NAN in this important work.
A copy of the Final Settlement Agreement can be found here.
Media Coverage
AFN, Federal Govt Confirm $47.8B Deal on Child-Welfare Reform – July 11, 2024
AFN, federal government confirm $47.8B child welfare reform settlement offer – July 11, 2024
AFN, Ottawa finalize $47.8B deal on child-welfare reform – July 11, 2024
