I Am a Witness: Human Rights Case
The I Am a Witness campaign invites people to learn about the case on First Nations child welfare and Jordan's Principle and to decide for themselves whether or not they think there is discrimination against First Nations children and youth.
Visit the Tribunal Timeline and Documents for the latest on the case.
In the spotlight:
- On February 20, 2025, the Caring Society's released a statement on federal government allegations of misuse of Jordan's Principle.
- On February 10, 2025, the Federal Court released an Order sending Canada's judicial review of 2025 CHRT 6 into case management and putting it into abeyance (on pause).
- On January 29, 2025, the Tribunal issued its full decision with reasons on the Caring Society's non-compliance motion and Canada's cross-motion on Jordan's Principle.
On January 27, 2025, Canada, NAN, and the Caring Society filed submissions to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal regarding the Caring Society's January 14, 2025, motion.
- On January 17, 2025, Canada provides its report to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in keeping with the Tribunal's November 21, 2024 summary ruling.
- On January 14, 2025, the Caring Society filed a Notice of Motion to the regarding Canada’s breach of the Tribunal’s consultation orders in relation to ending Canada’s discrimination and preventing its recurrence.
- On December 20, 2024, Canada filed a judicial review of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal's November 21, 2024 Letter-Decision on the Jordan's Principle non-compliance motion.
- On December 10, 2024, per the Tribunal's November 21, 2024 summary ruling, Canada reported on ISC's backlogs of Jordan's Principle requests and ISC's plan to resolve the backlog.
- On November 21, 2024, the Tribunal issued a summary ruling with reasons to follow regarding the Caring Society's non-compliance motion and Canada's cross-motion on Jordan's Principle.
- UPDATED (September 2024): Read our information sheet on the Caring Society's non-compliance motion v. Canada on Jordan's Principle.
On January 26, 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that Canada discriminates against First Nations children in its provision of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and by failing to implement Jordan's Principle. The Tribunal ruling was a victory not only for First Nations kids, but for all people in Canada who believe in love and fairness. But kids still need your help—here's what you can do:
- Read about the ruling and find out what it means:
- Read the ruling
- Read the information sheet.
- Read about the Spirit Bear Plan.
- Write to the Prime Minister or your Member of Parliament for immediate implementation of the Spirit Bear Plan to end inequalities in public services for First Nations children youth, and families (sample letter here).
- Follow @CaringSociety and @SpiritBear on Twitter and Facebook and repost updates.
The Caring Society gratefully acknowledges the generous legal support of:
David Taylor and Kevin Droz, Conway Baxter Wilson LLP/s.r.l.
Sarah Clarke, Clarke Child & Family Law
To submit a request for services through Jordan's Principle, call the Jordan's Principle 24-hour Call Centre: 1-855-JP-CHILD (1-855-572-4453) or visit canada.ca/jordans-principle.
- For more information on Jordan's Principle, please visit JordansPrinciple.ca.