Renowned Indigenous rights activist Cindy Blackstock is calling for a deal to compensate First Nations children harmed by Canada’s child welfare system to be renegotiated.
A $40 billion settlement agreement made in July ultimately stemmed from a human rights complaint filed by Blackstock with the Assembly of First Nations in 2007.
Last September, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered Ottawa to pay $40,000 in compensation to every child who suffered under the on-reserve child welfare system since 2006.
In July, the AFN settled on an agreement with Ottawa to set aside $20 billion for compensation, and $20 billion to reform the system.
But, Blackstock says it makes no guarantees that every child will receive at least $40,000, as the Tribunal outlined, despite Ottawa’s reassurance.
She says that parents who had multiple children taken away would only get a maximum of $60,000, instead of $40,000 per child, and that those placed in family arrangements are excluded.
She also says there’s no way the settlement can cover paying the same amount to every child denied Jordan’s Principle Coverage, as the Tribunal also ordered.
A two day hearing begins today, during which the Tribunal will decide if the compensation fills their criteria.
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