Advocates Concerned Despite $1.55B for Jordan’s Principle Services

Advocates and healthcare providers continue to express concerns regarding access to services for First Nations children under **Jordan’s Principle**. Despite the **Canadian government’s** recent commitment of **$1.55 billion** in funding, experts warn that systemic issues persist, hindering timely care for these vulnerable communities.

Randy Littlechild, chair and president of the **First Nations Health Consortium (FNHC)** in Edmonton, acknowledged the significance of the funding but emphasized that the allocation may not sufficiently address the needs of the over 600 First Nations across Canada. “Even though it is a large amount of money, the **$1.55 billion** is spread across the entire country,” he noted. When divided, each First Nation would receive less than **$3 million**, a figure that could be exhausted rapidly given the existing service demands.

In a recent announcement, the federal government pledged funding for **Jordan’s Principle** until **March 2027**, following months of uncertainty regarding the program’s future. This principle is a legal obligation ensuring that First Nations children access public health and social services without bureaucratic delays. However, Littlechild reported a **decrease in available funding** for essential services such as dental care and occupational therapy over the past year.

As of last year, the FNHC reported a backlog of **140,000 unadjudicated requests** for services under Jordan’s Principle. The **First Nations Child and Family Caring Society** has described this backlog as a violation of children’s human rights, stating, “Jordan’s Principle is not a program of goodwill — it is a court- and **Canadian Human Rights Tribunal**-affirmed legal obligation.”

Furthermore, Littlechild revealed that funding for children in **Alberta** has dropped dramatically, falling from approximately **$40 million** to under **$12 million** in the past fiscal year. This decline has led to a troubling trend where families are making fewer requests for services. “We’ve noticed that people are starting not to make as many requests because they’re feeling like it’s not happening,” Littlechild explained, noting that response times have extended from a few weeks to potentially a year.

Concerns among service providers are also mounting. **Bonnie Cooke**, director of audiology at **Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC)**, expressed relief at the new funding but stressed that financial support alone will not resolve the ongoing issues. A survey conducted by SAC last September indicated that **60 percent** of respondents had worked with Jordan’s Principle recipients to provide critical services like speech and language therapy and hearing aids.

“Delays in service can be really problematic for infants and children,” Cooke warned, highlighting that a wait of beyond three months for infants with hearing loss could jeopardize their language skills for life. In some instances, patients wait up to **24 months** for approval, while providers face lengthy reimbursement delays, with one reporting a wait of **eight to ten months**.

Cooke emphasized the need for a streamlined process to enhance efficiency and ensure that First Nations children have timely access to essential services. “There needs to be a clear process in place,” she stated. She also called for more resources to guarantee access to specialists such as speech-language pathologists and audiologists, especially for those living in remote areas.

The ongoing challenges surrounding Jordan’s Principle highlight the critical need for effective implementation of the promised funding to ensure First Nations children receive the services they deserve. As the situation evolves, advocates continue to push for accountability and timely access to care.