Ontario First Nations secure $8.5B deal with Canada to reform child and family services, empowering communities
TORONTO – A landmark $8.5 billion agreement has been signed between Indigenous Services Canada, the Chiefs of Ontario, and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services Program in Ontario.
This agreement affirms the right of First Nations in Ontario to oversee decisions regarding their children, ensuring secure and flexible funding to support their needs. It also accounts for the increased costs of services in remote communities. The Ontario Final Agreement builds upon the national agreement reached in July 2024, creating an Ontario-specific framework for child and family services.
Supporting First Nations Families and Communities
The funding will be directed toward vital services, including:
- Capital investments to improve facilities
- Post-majority support services for youth aging out of care
- First Nation representative services to advocate for children and families
- Prevention programs aimed at keeping children within their communities
A crucial element of the agreement is a $258 million investment to help First Nations purchase, build, and renovate housing, ensuring children are not removed from their families due to inadequate living conditions. This initiative will also support family reunification efforts.
A Step Toward Lasting Change
As a next step, the Chiefs of Ontario, NAN, and the federal government will jointly seek approval from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to end its oversight of the program, signaling a shift toward First Nations self-determination in child welfare.
Leadership Reactions
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict emphasized the urgency of the agreement, stating:
“We can’t continue to wait while First Nations children are displaced and disconnected from their cultures, families, and communities. This agreement empowers First Nations in Ontario to determine how best to provide child and family services that reflect our values, our traditions, and our rights.”
NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler praised the commitment to reform, saying:
“We know that reform is needed in our communities now, not years down the line. We ask that the inherent decision-making authority of our leadership be respected so we can begin implementing these reforms before any more harm is done.”
Federal Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu called the agreement a testament to collaboration:
“From now on, First Nations kids in Ontario will have a better chance to succeed, surrounded by their communities and culture.”
A Historic Commitment to First Nations Children
This agreement marks a turning point in child welfare services for First Nations in Ontario, placing decision-making power in the hands of Indigenous communities and ensuring that children remain connected to their families, cultures, and traditions.
