Key Takeaways
- The federal government has drastically cut funding for First Nations kids in Ontario seeking educational support under Jordan’s Principle, from $122.1 million to $1.2 million over the same time periods in 2024 versus 2025.
- The funding level in this area was literally 100 times higher before February 2025, when Indigenous Services Canada introduced a new "operational bulletin" restricting the services eligible under the legal initiative, than afterward.
- The First Nation alleges Canada’s education funding model is inadequate, racially discriminatory, and perpetuates the colonial harms inflicted on children at residential schools.
- The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is hearing the complaint, with a hearing that has been ongoing since October last year.
- The numbers show that kids are now far less likely to actually get funding for educational support under Jordan’s Principle.
Introduction to the Issue
The federal government has made significant cuts to funding for First Nations kids in Ontario seeking educational support under Jordan’s Principle. This reduction in funding has been drastic, with the amount allocated decreasing from $122.1 million to just $1.2 million over the same time periods in 2024 versus 2025. This change has been attributed to a new "operational bulletin" introduced by Indigenous Services Canada in February 2025, which restricts the services eligible under the legal initiative. The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation has filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, alleging that Canada’s education funding model is inadequate, racially discriminatory, and perpetuates the colonial harms inflicted on children at residential schools.
The Impact of Funding Cuts
The statistics filed as evidence by the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation reveal the extent of the funding cuts. From April 1 to September 30, 2024, Indigenous Services approved a total of 2,608 school-related Jordan’s Principle applications in Ontario, worth $122.1 million. In contrast, the period from April 1 to September 30, 2025 saw only 66 approved requests, worth $1.2 million. The decrease in requests could be explained by the operational bulletin as well as people becoming aware of a large backlog of requests. The approval rate for education requests in Ontario also decreased significantly, from 94% in 2023-24 to 28% in the months following the new operating procedure.
Response from Canada
In response to the complaint, Canada argues that First Nations may also apply for education funding under Jordan’s Principle. However, the numbers show that kids are now far less likely to actually get this funding. Canada also denies that it is underfunding on-reserve schools, but also has a backup argument that if the tribunal finds that the funding model is racist, the tribunal lacks legal authority to order Ottawa to spend what’s required. This argument has been called "shameful" by lawyer Kent Elson, who is representing the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in the complaint. Elson argues that Canada’s argument means that Canada is allowed under human rights law to underfund and discriminate against First Nations kids by underfunding First Nations education.
The Hearing and Its Significance
The hearing continued with more evidence about Jordan’s Principle from a federal witness. The case is significant, as it highlights the ongoing struggles of First Nations communities to access adequate funding for education. The reduction in funding under Jordan’s Principle is just one example of the systemic barriers that First Nations kids face in accessing education. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s decision in this case will have important implications for the rights of First Nations children to access education and other services. As Margaret Sault, chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, said, "It always seems like we take a step ahead and we get knocked two steps back." The case is a reminder that much work remains to be done to address the historical injustices faced by First Nations communities and to ensure that their children have access to the same opportunities as other kids in Canada.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The funding cuts under Jordan’s Principle are a significant setback for First Nations kids in Ontario. The reduction in funding has had a devastating impact on the ability of these kids to access educational support. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s decision in this case will be closely watched, as it has the potential to address the systemic barriers that First Nations kids face in accessing education. The case is also a reminder of the ongoing need for advocacy and action to address the historical injustices faced by First Nations communities. As the hearing continues, it is essential that the voices of First Nations kids and communities are heard, and that their rights to access education and other services are protected. The outcome of this case will have important implications for the future of First Nations education in Canada, and it is essential that the federal government takes immediate action to address the funding cuts and ensure that First Nations kids have access to the same opportunities as other kids in Canada.