Jordan's Principle

Jordan's Principle is a human rights principle ensuring First Nations children have access to government services.

In Anishinabek News

• January 2016: The Anishinabek Nation called for the full implementation of the original national version of this principle in 2016. The principle was passed in the House of Commons in 2007 but has faced delays in implementation by federal and provincial governments. It requires the government of first contact to pay for a child's services and seek reimbursement later to avoid delays in care.
• May 2016: The principle was established following the death of Jordan River Anderson, a child from Manitoba who died while governments argued over his care costs. The House of Commons unanimously endorsed this policy in 2007. In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered the federal government to apply this principle to all jurisdictional disputes involving First Nations children.
• December 2016: Adrienne Pelletier called for the national version of this principle to ensure children's care is not interrupted by government payment disagreements.
• June 2017: This principle is intended to ensure First Nations children receive essential services within 48 hours. It aims to prevent children from being caught in jurisdictional disputes between federal and provincial governments regarding payment for services.
• July 2017: The principle is intended to ensure First Nations children receive essential services without delays caused by jurisdictional disputes. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that the federal government has not complied with orders to implement this principle.
• April 2018: This principle ensures First Nations children from birth to age 19 can access public services without disruptions, delays, or denials related to their status. The principle was born from the tragedy of Jordan River Anderson.
• April 2018: Adrienne Pelletier encouraged social work students to utilize this principle to assist children.
• October 2018: In October 2018, band representatives received an in-depth presentation on the history and funding overview of Jordan's Principle. Jordan's Principle funds services such as mental health therapy, medical equipment, school transportation, and Elder services for First Nations children.
• December 2018: It ensures that First Nations children, including those who are non-status, have equitable access to government-funded services. The principle was established by First Nations following the death of Jordan River Anderson. As of December 2018, it is viewed as a source of hope for addressing health care dysfunction for Indigenous youth.
• February 2019: This principle ensures that First Nations children from birth to age 18 can access public services without denials or delays related to their status. In May 2017, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered substantive equality under this principle to provide extra help for children to thrive. Between July 2016 and November 2018, more than 177,000 requests for funding were approved under this initiative.
• March 2019: The 2019 federal budget committed $1.2 billion toward Jordan's Principle.
• September 2019: The House of Commons of Canada unanimously passed this law in December 2007 to prevent service delays for Indigenous youth. The policy requires the first government agency contacted to pay for a child's care and settle jurisdictional cost disputes later. The Anishinabek Nation employs navigators to help families and communities access support through this initiative.
• September 2019: The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that the federal government failed to fully implement this principle.
• January 2020: An update on this principle was presented by Christian Hebert during the health conference in Sault Ste. Marie.
• March 2020: Funding from this initiative was used to develop a respite program for caregivers of people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The principle works to ensure First Nations children have access to care in a timely fashion with regard to their unique situation as Indigenous members of society.
• April 2020: The House of Commons passed a motion in 2007 to support this principle to ensure equitable access to services for First Nations and Inuit children. It was established following the death of Jordan River Anderson, a child who died in a hospital while governments argued over payment for his home care. Applications for support through this principle are submitted to Indigenous Services Canada for needs ranging from medical equipment to basic necessities like beds.
• June 2021: The Anishinabek Nation called for the full implementation of this principle in June 2021.
• January 2022: A Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling addressed the funding of capital assets for service providers of this initiative. Information on how providers can apply for capital funds was expected to be released through Indigenous Services Canada in early 2022.
• July 2022: The federal government's narrow definition of this principle led to a $20 billion compensation agreement signed in July 2022. Children impacted by the restricted definition of this principle between December 12, 2007 and November 2, 2017 are eligible for compensation under the new settlement. The settlement also covers children who experienced delays in receiving essential public products or services between April 1, 1991 and December 11, 2007.
• August 2022: Participants in a July 2022 session noted that children with specialized needs still face barriers despite the implementation of this principle. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has ordered long-term reform of the federal funding for this principle.
• December 2022: Cindy Blackstock worked with colleagues on litigation to ensure the implementation of this principle by Canada.
• March 2023: A plush bear representing this principle accompanies the Corn Husk dolls on their journey.
• March 2023: Resolution 40/2022 was passed to ensure the quality of life and proper delivery of Jordan’s Principle for First Nations children. The Anishinabek Nation leadership emphasized that a united approach to Jordan’s Principle is vital for positive outcomes for children.
• August 2023: The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found in 2016 that the federal government had failed to fully implement this principle. The failure to implement this principle was identified as part of the federal government's discriminatory conduct against First Nations.
• October 2023: The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that the federal government failed to properly implement this principle. A 2023 settlement includes $20 billion for a renewed approach to this principle to eliminate discrimination.
• November 2023: The principle was identified as a source of support for families and children during a presentation by Astrid Guttmann.
• December 2023: The Assembly of First Nations is working to ensure this principle is applied properly through long-term system reforms.
• October 2024: This topic was the subject of a workshop during the tenth annual Anishinabek Nation health conference.
• September 2025: The principle was established by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in memory of Jordan River Anderson. In February 2025, Indigenous Services Canada issued a bulletin narrowing the eligibility for certain products and services under this initiative. The Chiefs of Ontario passed four resolutions in June 2025 calling for reforms and a regional approach to the principle's implementation.