This case is specific to the federal government’s underfunding of the FNCFS Program and Jordan’s Principle, which are both only available to First Nations. The FNCFS program is administered solely on First Nations reserves and in the Yukon; and as Jordan’s Principle is specifically for First Nations Children, Inuit and Métis individuals are not eligible.

First Nations in the Northwest Territories did not receive services under the FNCFS Program, and are instead served by the territorial government, so children removed from their families and homes on Reserve in the Northwest Territories are not eligible for Compensation. 

However, First Nations children and caregivers in the Northwest Territories who were affected by Canada’s failure to properly implement Jordan’s Principle may be eligible for Compensation under the Jordan’s Principle Class.

No, foster parents are not eligible for compensation under the Removed Child Family Class.

Age of Majority in this Settlement Agreement means the age at which a Class Member is legally considered an adult under the provincial or territorial law of the province or territory where the Class Member resides.

You can contact the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 (toll-free) to ask questions about the Claims Process or to walk you through the Claim Form. If you require additional help, the Administrator may direct you to a Claims Helper. Claims Helpers are available, at no cost, to help you complete your Claim Form, learn how to obtain identification, and connect you to cultural and wellness resources and supports.

Regardless of who helps you, you must read and understand everything that is included in the Claim Form, and sign and submit the Claim Form yourself. Every Claimant needs to submit their own Claim. The Administrator will not accept Claims submitted on behalf of another person unless the Claim is submitted by a legally appointed representative or eligible heir.

The Claims period for the Removed Child and Removed Child Family classes is now open. For anyone who was over the age of majority on launch day, March 10, 2025, can submit their Claim now until March 10, 2028. Once a Claimant reaches age of majority, they have three years to submit their Claim. 

Minors can submit a Claim up to two years before they’ve reached the age of majority; however, if eligible, they will not receive Compensation until they have reached the age of majority in their province or territory. 

The AFN does not have a confirmed timeline for the launch of the remaining seven Classes. For more information and to receive updates, please visit First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement: Home (fnchildclaims.ca) and sign up for updates. 

The Government of Canada has agreed to pay for mental wellness supports, such as counselling, for Survivors as they go through the compensation process. This will be funded separately from the $23.34 billion for compensation.

The AFN and the parties are currently developing a framework for culturally sensitive health, wellness and other supports for class members to access during the claims process, including class action navigation support, mental wellness resources, financial literacy, and more. The Hope for Wellness Help Line is also available to class members.

The first Cy-près fund is to benefit class members who do not receive direct payments under the Final Settlement Agreement, and was designed based on the Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G) Children Back, Land Back (2021) report recommendations to provide culturally sensitive, trauma-informed support to Class Members. Read the report here.

The objective of the Cy-près Fund is to provide culturally sensitive and trauma-informed supports to the Class, including but not limited to:

• Creating a Foundation to be led by First Nations youth and children in care, formerly in care, and their allies. The Foundation would offer grant-based supports to First Nations youth in care, formerly in care, and their allies to access culture-based, community-based and healing-based programs, services and activities. The Foundation would also establish a National First Nations Youth In/From Care Network, including the possibility of regional networks.
• Grant-based support for First Nations youth in care and formerly in care to identify birth family and/or their First Nation, including accessing records or files, and facilitate meeting family members and/or travelling to their First Nation.
• Family and community unification, reunification, connection, and reconnection.
• Access to cultural supports, programs, and activities.
• Transitional support for First Nations youth in care and formerly in care.

The second Cy-près fund is for Post Majority Supports for Jordan’s Principle.  This Trust Fund will be established by the Caring Society with input from the Class Action Plaintiffs. More information on how to access the Cy-près will be available in 2026.

The reforms will ensure full and proper implementation of Jordan’s Principle to support First Nations children.

This includes:

• Ensuring it follows the CHRT orders, including eligibility, what is covered, and when. These changes will prevent delays, refusals and service gaps.
• Funding to identify and close systemic gaps in essential services that adversely impact First Nations children.
• Fixing administrative problems with Jordan’s Principle, such as asking for too much documentation or differences in the way it is applied across the country.
• Funding to support First Nations youth reaching age of majority to connect with services and supports they may need in adulthood.
• Keeping the government accountable to First Nations about Jordan’s Principle by actively listening to complaints and quickly taking responsive action.

Exploring ways to support greater First Nations control over Jordan’s Principle service coordination, delivery and determinations.