Joint Statement from the Minister of Health and the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs on Responding to Jordan's Principle

OTTAWA, July 5, 2016 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada has listened to the concerns raised by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and our First Nations partners regarding Jordan's Principle. There is no question – we believe children must receive the health care and social services they need, when they need them.

Today, we are responding to these concerns and announcing a new approach to implement Jordan's Principle. This approach will put the needs of children first and ensure that First Nations children living on-reserve receive the health and social services they need in a timely manner.

The Government of Canada has committed up to $382 million in new funding to provide support to this new approach and broader definition of Jordan's Principle. This funding will be used to enhance service coordination and ensure service access resolution so that children's needs are assessed and responded to quickly.

Engagement is another important part of the new approach to Jordan's Principle. Both Health Canada and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada are actively engaging with First Nations and jurisdictional partners to establish what supports are needed as well as to find ways to enhance service coordination and prevent delays in receiving health care and social services.

Together, we remain fully committed to meeting this vital goal of responding to the needs of First Nations children living on-reserve and honouring the true spirit of Jordan's Principle.

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See Jordan's Principle Fact Sheet for details.

SOURCE Health Canada

For further information: Contacts: Christina Lazarova, Office of Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, [phone]; Media Relations: Health Canada, [phone]; Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160; Public Inquiries: [phone], 1-866 225-0709,