I am a Witness: Tribunal Timeline & Documents
The timeline below chronicles the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal case on inequitable funding for First Nations child welfare, which the Tribunal ruled amounts to discrimination.
View the pre-Tribunal timeline for a history of First Nations child and family services funding leading up the case.
2020
AFN files Notice of Appearance to the Federal Court.
Canada files for judicial review with the Federal Court of the CHRT's rulings (2020 CHRT 20 and 2020 CHRT 36) on the groups of children eligible to receive services through Jordan's Principle.
Importantly, both 2020 CHRT 20 and 2020 CHRT 36 remain in place while the judicial review is underway. Canada must adhere to the Tribunal’s orders and provide services to children eligible under one of the four criteria, including children recognized by their Nation for the purposes of Jordan’s Principle, pending a decision from the Federal Court.
The CHRT releases 2020 CHRT 36 on the groups of children eligible to receive services through Jordan's Principle. The CHRT rules that cases meeting any one of the four criteria are eligible for consideration under Jordan's Principle. Those criteria are the following:
- The child is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act, as amended from time to time;
- The child has one parent/guardian who is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act;
- The child is recognized by their Nation for the purposes of Jordan’s Principle; or
- The child is ordinarily resident on reserve.
The Attorney General of Canada submits the affidavit of Nathalie Nepton, Director General of the Children and Families Branch at Indigenous Services Canada.
Parties submit replies to the Tribunal's questions from October 20, 2020 regarding the Compensation Framework.
Further to the Caring Society's motion from August 7, 2020, the following affidavits are submitted to the Tribunal.
- Caring Society - Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Grand Chief Peter Johnston
- Innu Nation - Germaine Benuen
- Chiefs of Ontario - Grand Chief Joel Abram
Tribunal sends letter to Parties outlining questions regarding the Compensation Framework.
Canada's Reply to NAN's submissions on capital for Band Representative Services, including affidavit of Nathalie Nepton
The Assembly of First Nations makes submissions to the Tribunal regarding Trusts and Canada's Financial Administration Act Submissions.
AGC sends the latest compensation framework seeking additional clarification from Tribunal "with respect to the use of a trust to hold compensation funds for minors and adults who lack legal capacity."
Caring Society makes written submissions re: Canada's current financial approach in line with the Financial Administration Act and Treasury Board Authorities" and "re: Trust for beneficiaries without the legal capacity under the compensation framework."
Chiefs of Ontario makes written submissions to the Tribunal regarding "Canada's current financial approach in line with the Financial Administration Act and Treasury Board Authorities."
NAN makes written submissions to the Tribunal "responding to Canada's update to Terms and Conditions re: Band Representative Services and Capital and responding to Canada's Financial Administration Act Submissions.