Feds discriminated: ruling

Photo: Contributed

The federal government discriminated against children on reserves in its funding of child welfare services, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled Tuesday.

The quasi-judicial body was ruling on a 2007 complaint from the Assembly of First Nations and The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, who had argued the federal government failed to provide First Nations children the same level of services that exist elsewhere.

In its ruling, the tribunal found First Nations are adversely impacted by the services provided by the government and, in some cases, denied services as a result of the government's involvement.

"The panel acknowledges the suffering of those First Nations children and families who are or have been denied an equitable opportunity to remain together or to be reunited in a timely manner," the ruling said.

Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, said the decision marked a great day for First Nations children and for Canadians who believe in justice and fairness.

"Racial discrimination against children must not be tolerated," Blackstock said in a statement.

"It is vital that Canadians watch the government's actions closely to ensure the ruling is implemented and inequalities in other First Nations children's services such as education, health and basics like water and housing are fully addressed."

Child welfare was among the central issues flagged in the report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which spent six years delving into the painful residential school system that operated from the 1870s to 1996.

The report called on all levels of government to reduce the number of aboriginal children taken into care by providing adequate resources for communities and child-welfare organizations.