On Thursday, December 1, 2022, Cindy Blackstock, an advocate for child welfare, is acknowledged by the Speaker of the House of Commons, alongside other awardees of the 2022 Impact Award from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. This recognition occurred after the Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The photograph was taken by Justin Tang for THE CANADIAN PRESS.
The First Nations Family and Caring Society will present a case before the Human Rights Tribunal, asserting that Canada is failing to fulfill its commitment to providing timely healthcare access for Indigenous children. At the core of their argument is Jordan's Principle, a legal guideline ensuring that First Nations children can avail of healthcare, social, and educational support without delays, with jurisdictional payment matters resolved afterwards.
On Friday, the society will submit an affidavit to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, having initiated a motion against the federal government for not promptly handling Jordan's Principle claims. The contention is that this delay results in children either being denied essential support or service providers not receiving timely payment.
Cindy Blackstock, the executive director of the Caring Society, highlighted the severity of the situation, revealing that the society is now covering costs itself. Disturbingly, community members report that their requests under Jordan's Principle go unacknowledged, leaving thousands of cases in limbo. The consequences are especially dire for children requiring life-saving medical treatment, including those in palliative care.
According to Blackstock, service providers are making extraordinary efforts to continue supporting children, but financial constraints hinder their ability to sustain services. The society has even received reports of individuals resorting to paying for-profit services to facilitate Jordan's Principle applications due to the sluggish response from the federal government.
The spokesperson for the Minister of Indigenous Services, Simon Ross, stated that the government is currently reviewing the Caring Society's motion, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to finding a swift resolution. He referenced the $20-billion long-term reform funding for the child welfare system following a class-action settlement that exposed Canada's discrimination against First Nations children under Jordan's Principle.
Ross also mentioned short-term solutions in progress, such as leveraging new technologies to expedite approvals and reduce administrative burdens. However, despite the absence of filing costs for Jordan's Principle requests, Blackstock underscored that the government's sluggishness has compelled some individuals to seek assistance from for-profit services.
The case is slated for a hearing in April or early May, and other interested parties intending to participate must inform the tribunal before January 22.
