Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services
On August 20, 2025, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (Tribunal) issued 2025 CHRT 80, ordering Canada, along with the co-complainants in First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada et al. v. Attorney General of Canada, to move forward on national First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) long-term reform without further delay. The order requires the parties to submit their remedies for national long-term reform, created either separately or together, by December 2025. This shall happen concurrently and separately from the Ontario Agreement (OA).
Considering Canada's refusal to continue negotiations since the First Nations-in-Assembly have voted against the proposed Final Settlement Agreement in August 2024, the Caring Society and the AFN have agreed to work together to create a plan for long-term reform of the FNCFS Program. The Caring Society and the National Children's Chiefs Commission (NCCC) whom are mandated by the AFN to lead the FNCFS reform, have been working collaborating to support community engagement and gather regional input through tool such as an engagement guide, targeting discussion themes and proposing questions to encourage feedback.
This process is being carried out independently of Canada and is focused on fulfilling the Tribunal's order to permanently end discrimination in FNCFS. It is important to note that Canada has filed for judicial review of 2025 CHRT 80, which the Caring Society opposes vigorously.
Timeline for Engagement :
- October 1, 2025: Release engagement materials in French and English
- October 1, 2025, to November 14, 2025: Regional feedback sessions with leadership, experts and rights holders
- November 14 to 28, 2025: Collect and consolidate regional feedback, draft National plan and remedies
- November 28, 2025 to December 5, 2025: Review and validation of National plan and remedies with Leadership, Experts and Rights Holders
- December 5 to 20, 2025: Finalize the National Plan and Remedies
- December 20, 2025: Submit the National Plan to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
This page is an evolving resource, we will share new information when it becomes available. The resources on this page are available in French.

