Exploring Theme: "Bill C-92"

“It does leave a gap there and it leaves the potential to have conflicts of laws and cases before courts, which in the meantime have children in very precarious positions, often not in their home communities.” – Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller Windpeaker.com: The second First Nations’ children’s act has been implemented in Alberta. On...

The Department of Health and Social Services is seeking feedback from Indigenous governments, organizations that work with children, youth and families at risk as well as the public on proposed key elements that will inform amendments to the Child and Family Services Act. The amendments are intended to align the NWT’s Child and Family Services...

CBC – The Quebec Court of Appeal issued a decision yesterday finding the law constitutional apart from two key sections that relate to Aboriginal self-government and child and family services that it ruled are unconstitutional. The court took issue with the section of the law that allows Indigenous child welfare laws to supersede provincial laws when...

Government of Alberta has – so far – refused to sign coordination agreements with the Louis Bull First Nation in Alberta and the federal government as required by Bill C-92 “The Indigenous Child Welfare Act”. Agreements are supposed to be signed within one year of a First Nations applying to assume accountability for delivering their...

Embracing the Children of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow released by the Child and Family Services Act Advisory Committee with 149 specific “Required Actions” including what needs to be added to Bill C-92 to comply with the Yukon legislation. http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/pdf/CFSA-report-oct2019.pdf...

Globe and Mail – Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services initially wanted a delay to the Jan. 1, 2020 implementation of Bill C-92. “I’m hopeful for where we are going to go moving forward but we really do need answers specifically around funding, liability, oversight, and we need some improved consultations moving forward if this...

Indigenous groups who have developed their own legislation will have 2 options to exercise jurisdiction under the act.     Every service provider delivering child and family services to Indigenous children and families will need to follow the minimum standards found in the act. Existing agencies will continue to provide services to Indigenous children.  Agreements related to existing delegated...

APTN National News – Heather Stefanson, Minister of Families, said she supports the overall objective of the legislation but said there’s no clear plans for how it will be implemented or funded....

Saskatoon Star Phoenix – In an emailed statement, Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said the government is reviewing the act in detail to understand its implications and identify issues that could affect vulnerable families. Merriman said the province is receptive to new models that could improve outcomes and better serve Indigenous families. He added the...