{"id":5752,"date":"2021-07-22T14:05:54","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T18:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cssspnql.com\/?page_id=5752"},"modified":"2026-03-24T14:47:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T18:47:47","slug":"what-is-jordans-principle","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cssspnql.com\/en\/what-is-jordans-principle\/","title":{"rendered":"Jordan\u2019s Principle"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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In memory of Jordan River Anderson\u00a0<\/h1>

Jordan was a child from the Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. Born with complex medical needs, Jordan was hospitalized unnecessarily for over two years due to disputes between the Province of Manitoba and the federal government over funding for his home care. He died in a hospital at the age of five, without having had the opportunity to live in his family home.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is Jordan's Principle?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Jordan\u2019s Principle, named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, aims to ensure that all First Nations children, regardless of where they live or their circumstances, have access to the care and services needed to support their optimal development and well-being. Administered by the Government of Canada, this principle focuses on the best interests of the child by funding health, social and education services to address needs not covered by existing programs.<\/p>

In short, if a child has a health, social or education need, Jordan\u2019s Principle can help!<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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February 23, 2007<\/h4>

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (Caring Society) file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC). Their complaint alleges racial discrimination by Canada against First Nations children because it provides less funding for child protection on the reserves, meaning that fewer services are offered to children on the reserves. The CHRC would later transfer this file to the CHRT in October 2008.<\/p>


December 12, 2007<\/h4>

The House of Commons unanimously passes Motion No. 296 in support of Jordan\u2019s Principle, as tabled by the New Democratic Party (NDP).<\/p>

“That, in the opinion of the House, the government should immediately adopt a child-first principle, based on Jordan’s Principle, to resolve jurisdictional disputes involving the care of First Nations children.”<\/p>


2008<\/h4>

The federal government adopts a definition of Jordan\u2019s Principle, narrowing it to apply only to cases of children with complex medical needs and multiple service providers, even though there is no wording that authorizes a limiting of Jordan\u2019s Principle in Motion No. 296.<\/p>


June 24, 2011<\/h4>

The Pictou Landing First Nation and Maurina Beadle<\/a> (mother of a child with health needs) take the federal government to court to enforce the application of Jordan\u2019s Principle.<\/p>


April 4, 2013<\/h4>

The Federal Court rules in favour of the Pictou Landing First Nation and Maurina Beadle in their case against the federal government.<\/p>


June 10, 2015<\/h4>

The Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) pass a resolution calling on the federal and provincial governments to recognize Jordan\u2019s Principle and to adopt a joint statement indicating their commitment to “resolve any jurisdictional or funding dispute that may jeopardize the health of a First Nation\u2019s citizen, without discrimination based on geography, language, severity of concurrent needs, etc.”<\/p>

This resolution calls for an expanded vision of Jordan\u2019s Principle, by stipulating that no conflict of jurisdiction should limit a First Nation member\u2019s access to care.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

January 26, 2016<\/h4>

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal released its decision confirming that the federal government discriminates against First Nations children. It ordered the federal government to1<\/sup>:<\/p>

  1. Cease its discriminatory practices by reforming the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program;<\/li>
  2. Immediately implement the full meaning and scope of Jordan\u2019s Principle.<\/li><\/ol>

    \u00a0<\/p>

    Therefore, Jordan\u2019s Principle must apply to all First Nations children in order to resolve any intergovernmental or intragovernmental disputes arising in the areas of health, social services and education<\/strong><\/p>

    For more information, visit the website<\/a> of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    Since December 2020, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has expanded the eligibility criteria for Jordan\u2019s Principle to allow more children to access it. A request can now be made for a child (or group of children) under the age of 18 if they meet one of the following criteria:<\/p>

    1. They are registered as an Indian or eligible for registration under the Indian Act. <\/strong>Information regarding the status of parents and grandparents must be provided (name, date of birth, band number, etc.).

      <\/li>
    2. They have a parent or guardian who is registered as an Indian or eligible for registration under the Indian Act.<\/strong> In other words, if they are not eligible for Indian status but one of their parents is eligible, a request can be submitted for the child.

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    3. They are recognized by their nation for the purposes of Jordan\u2019s Principle.<\/strong> A band council can recognize a child as a member of their community. A letter on official band or First Nation letterhead stating that the child is recognized is required. Consent from the parents or guardian is also required.

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    4. The child usually resides in a community.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      Depending on the condition and nature of the child\u2019s needs, Jordan\u2019s Principle can cover different services.<\/strong><\/p>

      Here is an overview of the services that are generally eligible. This list is not exhaustive.<\/p>

      Health<\/strong><\/p>