New Democratic Party 🍁 Nouveau Parti Démocratique

Investing in children and ending funding discrimination

We will respect, support and resource Indigenous jurisdiction over child welfare systems. Long-term and predictable funding will be guaranteed in legislation, and we will work with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society to implement the Spirit Bear Plan.

We will end discrimination against Indigenous children, young people and family by ending the chronic underfunding of child welfare and family services. This includes:

Negotiating with the National Children’s Chiefs Commission to negotiate the necessary long-term reform for First Nations Child and Family Services; Establishing permanent, consistent and predictable funding for the Inuit Child First Initiative; Address the backlog in Jordan’s Principle applications by investing in more staff and better case management, We will ensure that every child has a safe place to learn, and we will implement Shannen’s Dream so that no student is forced to learn in a dangerous environment. And we will work to incorporate traditional knowledge into our contemporary education system.

We will tackle barriers which prevent Indigenous learners from accessing post-secondary education and training. This will include financial assistance and increased opportunities for children who grew up in care, and improved distance education.