Policy Developments

Objective
To apply a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal order compliant “back to basics”
approach for implementing Jordan’s Principle that is non-discriminatory, centers
the needs and best interests of the child, takes into consideration the distinct
circumstances of their community, is simple to access, timely, and minimizes the
administrative burden on families. Jordan’s Principle team members will exercise
compassion, common sense, and a reconciliation-first approach when receiving,
processing, and determining Jordan’s Principle requests.

Approach
Jordan’s Principle is a legal obligation with no end date. It is a needs-based initiative,
driven by principles of substantive equality, the best interest of the child, and
distinct community circumstances. Jordan’s Principle ensures First Nations children
can access the products, services, and supports they need, when they need them.
Cost or other administrative considerations are not factors in determining a request.
In keeping with the spirit of Jordan’s Principle, decision making by Indigenous
Services Canada (ISC) is informed by the following presumptions:

• Professionals and community-authorized Elders and knowledge holders are
  acting within their area of expertise and in the best interests of the child;1
• The parent or guardian is acting in the child’s best interest when consenting to
  the recommended product, service, or support;
• Substantive equality applies to the child (more on this below);
• The request is specific to the child and their needs;
• Requests are not limited to those falling within the normative standards.

The full Back to Basics Approach can be found here:  Back to Basics Approach

For more information, please contact

The Hub Team:
The Hub General Mailbox

Indigenous Services Canada Jordan’s Principle Back to Basics:
General Mailbox

Funding for capital assets through 2021 CHRT 41

By virtue of 2021 CHRT 41, First Nations, First Nations child and family services agencies and First Nations-authorized Jordan’s Principle service providers can access funding for the purchase and construction of capital assets that are needed to:

• support the delivery of child and family services to First Nations children on-reserve and in Yukon
• provide safe, accessible, confidential and culturally- and age-appropriate spaces that are needed to support the delivery of Jordan’s Principle services on-reserve, in the Northwest Territories and in Yukon, which can include space to administer those services, such as in support of service coordination
• provide First Nations Representative Services (formerly Band Representative Services) in First Nations in Ontario

Capital assets are pieces of property, buildings, spaces or vehicles that are intended for long-term use. For example, funding for capital assets would support:

• purchasing land on which a building is to be built for the delivery of First Nations child and family services, First Nations Representative Services or Jordan’s Principle services
• repairing or renovating an existing building for the delivery of such services
• establishing a cultural space, including outdoors, to run prevention-based programming

To access funding for capital assets, projects must be considered “ready to proceed”. This means that the project has received approval from the First Nation and the feasibility and design work has been completed. Indigenous Services Canada will provide support to First Nations and agencies to bring a project to the stage where it is considered “ready to proceed”, including providing funding to conduct a capital needs assessment or a feasibility study.

First Nations child and family services agencies may continue to seek reimbursement for building repairs through a claim on actuals as per 2018 CHRT 4.

The full Capital Delivery Guidance document (current as of January 2022) can be found here: Capital Delivery Guidance – FINAL

For more information on Capital Funding Guidance, please contact:

The Hub Team:
The Hub General Mailbox

Indigenous Services Canada 

or Indigenous Services Canada for more information on Capital Funding.

The Capital Funding application form can be found  here.