Key Takeaways
- The Government of Canada is committed to advancing long-term reform of child and family services for First Nations across the country.
- The Government will submit a detailed plan to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services program, which includes funding of $35.5 billion to 2033-34 and an ongoing commitment of $4.4 billion annually after that.
- The plan enables First Nations-led regional agreements to tailor delivery of child and family services to their distinct realities, allowing for more power over governance, reporting, and planning frameworks.
- The reform aims to strengthen families rather than separate them, with a focus on culturally grounded, community-led, and long-term wellbeing of First Nations children.
- The Government has increased funding for the First Nations Child and Family Services program from $600 million to $3.9 billion in 2024-2025 and has signed a $8.5 billion Final Agreement with the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation to implement long-term reforms in Ontario.
Introduction to the Reform Plan
The Government of Canada has announced its plan to advance the long-term reform of child and family services for First Nations across the country. The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, stated that the Government will submit a detailed plan to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services program. The plan includes funding of $35.5 billion to 2033-34 and an ongoing commitment of $4.4 billion annually after that, ensuring that First Nations children and families have sustainable resources. This reform is a critical step towards addressing the urgent need for transformative change that strengthens families rather than separates them.
Regional Agreements and Funding
The Government’s approach to regional agreements is supported by the significant funding commitment, which will enable First Nations-led regional agreements to tailor delivery of child and family services to their distinct realities. This approach will allow for more power over governance, reporting, and planning frameworks, reflecting a consistent, principled commitment to First Nations jurisdiction and leadership. The funding also includes additional supports for First Nations Representatives, who act as cultural and legal advocates for their members to ensure the rights of children are upheld. The success of the Final Agreement on Long-Term Reform of the FNCFS Program in Ontario will serve as a model for the national reform.
The Need for Transformative Change
The reality that far too many First Nations children remain in care underscores the urgent need for transformative change. This change must be determined by First Nations communities and their families, and it is a shared national objective. The proposed reform marks a decisive move toward achieving this objective, with a focus on culturally grounded, community-led, and long-term wellbeing of First Nations children. The Government’s commitment to advancing long-term reform is a historic turning point for First Nations children, and it is expected to change lives not just for this generation but for generations to come.
Quotes from Government Officials
Government officials have expressed their support for the reform plan, emphasizing its significance and potential impact. The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty stated that this is a historic turning point for First Nations children, and that the long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services means fewer children taken from their families, stronger communities, and systems designed and led by First Nations themselves. The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand expressed hope that the plan recognizes the strength of First Nations families and the resilience of their children, setting a clear path that supports children to thrive. The Honourable Buckley Belanger emphasized that the plan takes an approach grounded in local knowledge, ensuring that child and family services respond to what each community needs to support children, families, and culture.
Quick Facts and Progress
The FNCFS Program provides funding to approximately 140 FNCFS delegated agencies, provincial and Yukon governments, and about 580 First Nations for services aimed at keeping First Nations children safe from harm and helping them remain with their families and in their communities. Since the Tribunal’s initial decision in 2016, Canada has increased the First Nations Child and Family Services Funding from $600 million to $3.9 billion in 2024-2025. In early 2025, Canada signed a $8.5 billion Final Agreement with the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation to implement long-term reforms to the First Nations Child and Family Services Program in Ontario. As of December 2, 2025, more than $267 million in Compensation has been paid to Class Members who experienced discrimination in Canada’s First Nations Child and Family Services Program.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Government’s commitment to advancing long-term reform of child and family services for First Nations is a significant step towards addressing the urgent need for transformative change. The proposed reform plan, which includes funding of $35.5 billion to 2033-34 and an ongoing commitment of $4.4 billion annually after that, is expected to enable First Nations-led regional agreements to tailor delivery of child and family services to their distinct realities. The Government will continue delivering child and family services on a national level in accordance with Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders, while regional negotiations move forward. Additional funding to support regional agreements and further changes to the Program’s funding and policy framework would depend on program assessments in 2031-32 and 2036-37.
