Jordan’s Principle is a legal principle in Canada that ensures that First Nations children have access to the same government services as other children in Canada. It is named after a First Nations boy named Jordan River Anderson, who died in hospital while waiting for the federal and provincial governments to agree on who should pay for his at-home care.
The principle states that when a government service is available to other children, it must also be made available to First Nations children without delay or denial due to jurisdictional disputes. This means that if a First Nations child needs a certain service, such as healthcare or education, and that service is available to non-Indigenous children, the government must provide it to the First Nations child without hesitation or argument over which level of government should pay for it.
Unfortunately, Jordan’s Principle has not always been followed in Canada. There have been many cases where First Nations children have been denied necessary services because of jurisdictional disputes between the federal and provincial governments. This has had serious consequences for the health and well-being of many First Nations children.
In 2006, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that the federal government had discriminated against First Nations children by failing to implement Jordan’s Principle. Since then, the government has made some progress in implementing the principle, but there is still much work to be done.
It is important to remember that Jordan’s Principle is not just about providing services to First Nations children. It is about ensuring that all children in Canada have equal access to the services they need, regardless of their background. This is a crucial step towards achieving true reconciliation between Canada and its First Nations communities.
Jordan’s Principle is also about recognizing the unique rights and needs of First Nations children. As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has pointed out, the rights of First Nations children are protected under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. By implementing Jordan’s Principle, the government is taking steps to fulfill its obligations under this declaration.
In conclusion, Jordan’s Principle is a vital principle that ensures First Nations children have the same access to government services as other children in Canada. It is a crucial step towards reconciliation and the recognition of First Nations rights. Despite some progress, much work remains to be done to fully implement this principle and ensure that all First Nations children receive the services they need.
