Jordan's Principle

Jordan's Principle Logo

Jordan's Principle is a child-first principle intended to ensure that First Nations children in Canada can access all public services in a way that is reflective of their distinct cultural needs, without experiencing any service denials, delays, or disruptions related to their First Nations status. The principle is named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from the Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba.

Background

Jordan River Anderson was born in 1999 with complex medical needs. He spent over two years in a hospital because the federal government and the provincial government could not agree on who should pay for his at-home care. Jordan passed away in the hospital at the age of five, never having spent a day in a family home. His story highlighted the jurisdictional disputes between different levels of government that often result in First Nations children not receiving the services they need.

Principle

Jordan's Principle was unanimously adopted in the House of Commons of Canada in 2007. It stipulates that when a jurisdictional dispute arises over the provision of services to a First Nations child, the government department of first contact must pay for the services without delay or disruption. The principle applies to all public services, including health care, education, and social services.

Implementation

The implementation of Jordan's Principle has been a complex process involving multiple stakeholders, including the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, the Assembly of First Nations, and various government departments. In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that the federal government had failed to implement Jordan's Principle properly and ordered immediate action to ensure compliance.

Impact

Since its implementation, Jordan's Principle has helped thousands of First Nations children access necessary services. The principle has been instrumental in addressing systemic inequities and ensuring that First Nations children receive the same level of care and support as other children in Canada.

Challenges

Despite its successes, the implementation of Jordan's Principle continues to face challenges. These include ongoing jurisdictional disputes, funding limitations, and the need for greater awareness and understanding of the principle among service providers and government officials.

See also

• First Nations
• Indigenous peoples in Canada
• Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
• Health care in Canada
• Child welfare in Canada

External links

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