(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community support

PAGC responds to $40 billion child welfare compensation package

Jan 6, 2022 | 3:55 PM

The federal government’s recently announced child welfare agreement, will help ensure that no child faces discrimination again according to a statement Thursday from the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Executive.

The package will include $20 billion in compensation to children, families and caregivers and another $20 billion to reform the system over five years. PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte explained the changes will strengthen the ability of First Nations individuals to take care of their children and families in their home communities.

“This announcement marks a significant turning point in our collective efforts to reform the child welfare system affecting many of our Indigenous families in our PAGC communities,” he said. “We are thankful for the efforts of Cindy Blackstock of the First Nations and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations who first filed the complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, which has led to this historic decision that will positively impact our families and improve on-reserve child and family services.”

Hardlotte went on to explain the PAGC recognizes this is bittersweet news for Indigenous children victimized by what he refers to as a discriminatory system, and he hopes this decision will bring them a sense of justice, healing, and closure.

“We have confidence that we are one step closer to reconciliation by addressing these issues of colonialism and institutional racism,” he said.

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The agreement-in-principle follows a ruling by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) and separate class-action lawsuits that Ottawa failed to provide the same level of child and family services that exist elsewhere.

It ordered the government to provide up to $40,000 to each First Nations child who was unnecessarily taken into care on or after Jan. 1, 2006.

It also ordered compensation for parents, or grandparents and children who were denied essential services.

The government says final settlement agreements must still be negotiated over the coming months and the money will flow once these agreements are reached and the necessary court and human rights orders have been made.

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.

According to their statement, PAGC plans on accessing funding for Adult Education programming in education and skill development for the affected youth.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

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