The recent tribunal hearing revealed a significant reduction in federal funding for First Nations children in Ontario seeking educational assistance under Jordan’s Principle. The funding amount dropped from $122.1 million to $1.2 million between 2024 and 2025. This drastic cut came after Indigenous Services Canada implemented a new “operational bulletin” that limited the services eligible under the legal initiative.
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation presented these statistics to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, accusing the government of chronically underfunding on-reserve schools in the province. Chief Margaret Sault expressed shock at the funding decrease, emphasizing that such setbacks are unfortunately common for First Nations communities.
The First Nation argues that Canada’s education funding model, initiated as a temporary measure in 2019-20 but never replaced, is insufficient, racially biased, and perpetuates the historical traumas inflicted on children in residential schools. The ongoing hearing, which began in October last year, highlights the disparities in education funding between on-reserve and off-reserve schools.
Jordan’s Principle ensures prompt access to public health and social services for First Nations children without delays due to jurisdictional disputes. However, the substantial decrease in approved funding requests demonstrates a failure to meet the educational needs of these children. Lawyer Kent Elson, representing Mississaugas of the Credit, noted that the new data exposes the inadequacies in education funding for First Nations kids.
An Ontario family shared their struggle after Canada denied funding renewal for their autistic son, causing a crisis as he had relied on educational support since 2018-19. The disclosed data revealed a significant drop in approved Jordan’s Principle applications and funding amounts in Ontario after the policy change.
The argument put forth by Canada regarding jurisdiction and funding constraints has drawn criticism. The government’s stance that the tribunal lacks authority to mandate adequate funding for on-reserve schools has been deemed “shameful” by Elson. Despite declining to comment due to the ongoing case, Indigenous Services Canada previously affirmed its commitment to adequately fund education for First Nations children while addressing their unique needs.
The hearing continues to unfold, shedding light on the challenges faced by First Nations children in accessing quality education and essential services under Jordan’s Principle.