English - Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies

To download a copy of Children First,
please visit the MCYS website:
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/
htdocs/English/topics/aboriginal/
reports/child_welfare-2011.aspx
THE ABORIGINAL ADVISOR TO THE MINISTER OF CHILDREN AND
YOUTH SERVICES
In 2010, John Beaucage became the first Aboriginal
Advisor to the MCYS. The Advisor’s role is to provide advice on
all Aboriginal child welfare matters and to facilitate discussion
between the Minister and Aboriginal leaders. In July 2011, Mr.
Beaucage released his first report entitled Children First: The
Aboriginal Advisor’s Report on the status of Aboriginal child
welfare in Ontario. The report outlined the necessary changes
needed to move Aboriginal child welfare forward.
COMMISSION TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE CHILD WELFARE
On November 20, 2009, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services approved a
three-member panel to start a Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare.
The three commissioners had a three-year mandate to review and make
recommended changes. One area of focus was toward the unique considerations
for Aboriginal youth and children.
The Commission’s vision is that “Aboriginal children, whether on-reserve or
off-reserve, will have access to services that reflect their needs and that are delivered
in ways that respect their culture, heritage and traditions” (Commission to Promote
Sustainable Child Welfare, 2010).
THE CASE AT THE CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
On February 27, 2007, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), a political organization
representing all First Nations in Canada, and the First Nations Child and Family
Caring Society of Canada, a national non-profit organization providing services to
First Nations child welfare organizations, took the Government of Canada before
the Canadian Human Rights Commission for its current treatment of First Nations
children. The complaint alleges that the government had a longstanding pattern of
providing less government funding for child welfare services to First Nations children
on reserves than is provided to non-Aboriginal children.
“The complaint involves an allegation of discrimination in the provision of a service
on the grounds of race and national or ethnic origin. The Complainants allege that
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada discriminates against Aboriginal children by
inadequately funding child welfare services on reserve, contrary to section 5 of the
Canadian Human Rights Act” (Federal Court of Canada, 2011).
136
“First Nations child and family service agencies receive 22% less funding per child than
their provincial equivalents despite the documented higher child welfare needs on
reserve” (Blackstock, & Trocmé, 2004).