Canadian Human Rights Tribunal reached a landmark decision on child services. And there’s reason for optimism that the tribunal’s order will lead Canada toward ending some of the historical discrimination that remains firmly entrenched in federal policy.
The principle underlying the tribunal’s decision is fairly simple. In exercising its jurisdiction respecting First Nations, the federal government (through Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada) has committed to ensuring the availability of services reasonably comparable to those provided to off-reserve people through provincial/territorial funding. And having made that commitment, it bears an obligation not to impose discriminatory terms in how it funds and oversees on-reserve services.
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal makes important decision for fair treatment of First Nations children | Regina Leader-Post
For further reading...
- CBC reports on the decision, while Neil Macdonald places it in some context.
- Tim Harper goes into more detail as to the history of discrimination given wider exposure by the decision.
And Murray Mandryk's take on the lack of social resources facing La Loche and other communities.
The principle underlying the tribunal’s decision is fairly simple. In exercising its jurisdiction respecting First Nations, the federal government (through Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada) has committed to ensuring the availability of services reasonably comparable to those provided to off-reserve people through provincial/territorial funding. And having made that commitment, it bears an obligation not to impose discriminatory terms in how it funds and oversees on-reserve services.
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal makes important decision for fair treatment of First Nations children | Regina Leader-Post
For further reading...
- CBC reports on the decision, while Neil Macdonald places it in some context.
- Tim Harper goes into more detail as to the history of discrimination given wider exposure by the decision.
And Murray Mandryk's take on the lack of social resources facing La Loche and other communities.