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Bill C-92 Introduced in Parliament Today

Thursday, 28 February 2019 16:22

Photo courtesy of Ottawa Tourism

The bill will affirm Indigenous peoples' rights to exercise their own jurisdiction over child and family services.

Indigenous leaders and the Canadian government welcomed the introduction of Bill C-92 in Parliament today.

The bill will affirm Indigenous peoples' rights to exercise jurisdiction over their children, and will also aim to improve cultural continuity in Indigenous households by keeping more Indigenous youth and children with their family remembers as opposed to placing them in foster care homes.

Indigenous children currently make up over 50% of children in foster cares throughout Canada, however only account for just under 8% of all children under the age of 15 in the country. 

Other legislation highlights include more emphasis on preventative care in Indigenous households, as well as easier creation of family service laws in separate Indigenous communities to better reflect local needs.

The introduction of Bill C-92 started last year when commitment to meet six core issues around over-representation of Indigenous child and youth in care began.

The Honourable Seamus O'Reagan says engagement with Indigenous partners across Canada will continue after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

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