(Toronto, On, October 4, 2019) – Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald shares the Chiefs of Ontario’s extreme frustration in the Government of Canada’s decision to judicially review the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s decision to compensate children and their families who have been discriminated against. The Tribunal’s decision, issued in early September, awarded compensation to the children and families denied equal child welfare services and or denied services that should have been provided pursuant to Jordan’s Principle.
“Canada says that it accepts there was discrimination against First Nations children and accepts that there should be compensation. But yet it also says this is not the appropriate forum to get that compensation. Canada is saying we need to negotiate. We have been trying to negotiate about compensation for these children since 2016, and we never get responses. It is a frustrating situation, and meanwhile families are still waiting for justice.” said Grand Chief Joel Abram, social services portfolio holder for Chiefs of Ontario.
Chiefs of Ontario is an Interested Party in the proceedings, and is currently reviewing the court filings and will continue to appear in court to support the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations in this matter.
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The Chiefs of Ontario is a political forum and a secretariat for collective decision making, action, and advocacy for the 133 First Nation communities located within the boundaries of the province of Ontario, Canada. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook or Twitter @ChiefsOfOntario
Chiefs of Ontario – Media Contact:
Genna Benson
Communications Officer
Telephone: 416-523-4020
Email: Genna.Benson@coo.org
