Negotiations continue between the federal government and First Nations leaders when it comes to compensating those affected by residential schools.
Ahead of Tuesday’s economic update, Ottawa set aside $40 billion in child welfare, which was tabulated after two class action lawsuits were settled: a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal order and long term reform of the Indigenous Child welfare system over five years.
The Tribunal ordered Ottawa to pay $40,000 to each child and their guardian who had to attend a residential school dating back to at least 2006.
That date could go back further if determined by the tribunal.
Minister of Indigenous Affairs Patty Hajdu told Acadia News that talks have been positive and ongoing in the hopes of getting a deal done by the end of December.
“There are a lot of people waiting to get to work, both on the compensation side and on the reform side as well,” Hajdu noted. “All parties are really feeling like we can get to a resolution here for Indigenous and First Nations children.”
Another $40,000 is being directed to each child and their primary guardian where services were denied or they were forced to leave their homes in order to access services.
This policy is known as Jordan’s Principle.
With files from Katie Nicholls and Kevin Jeffrey
