November 2, 2021 – The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) stands in solidarity with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (FNCFCSC) in calling on the Government of Canada to cease their appeal of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s (CHRT) decision to compensate First Nations children and families who have been the victims of discrimination in the delivery of services.
In 2019, the CHRT ordered that all Indigenous children and families harmed and discriminated against in the provision of the First Nations Child and Family services programme were to be financially compensated. The CHRT also determined that all First Nations children must be eligible for Jordan’s Principle, regardless of status or location. In September 2021, the CHRT’s decision was also upheld by the Federal Court of Canada.
Moving forward, CASW wholeheartedly supports the FNCFCS in their negotiations with the Government of Canada, hoping for a swift and just resolution by the December 2021 deadline. We call on the Government of Canada to end their appeal and heed the CHRT’s and the Federal Court’s decisions, and the voices of the FNCFCS, those with lived experience, and other advocates and chart a better future for this country. This is a necessary and fundamental step forward in the journey of meaningful reconciliation.