THUNDER BAY – The Supreme Court of Canada recently decided that Canada will continue to recognize Bill C-92: An act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.
The bill recognizes Indigenous people’s jurisdictional rights to self-govern their child and family services without conflict with provincial law.
In an interview with Newswatch, Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said the Supreme Court called the bill "an act of legislative reconciliation."
“Both of our speakers (at the media conference on Friday), Natan Obed from Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Cassidy Caron of the Métis National Council, talked about how important it is to have a law that enforces those inherent rights that they have always known they had,” Hajdu said.
Moving forward from the Court’s ruling, Indigenous leaders fill out agreements under this act to support the implementation of their own child and family services laws.
When asked if the federal government is going to continuously commit funding to First Nations to exercise their inherent rights, Hajdu explained that each coordination agreement has a 10-year-funding agreement attached.
“That's the work that we're doing right now with a number of other First Nations and Inuit groups that have triggered their rights under C-92," she said.
"I think the other really interesting aspect about this though is that it will compel future governments to continue this work. This is now federal law. It has the full force of federal law. It not only enshrines the inherent rights of First Nations to care for their children and families, but it also compels the federal government to be a partner.”
Hajdu also said she looks toward the province to be a strong partner with Indigenous communities as well.
“Many children in care are in provincial systems. We'll need provincial partners to make sure those kids are reconnected to communities and that those kids get the services they need no matter where they live,” she said.
