Caring Society says 'bald allegations' levelled by Canada at human rights tribunal not based in fact

May 22, 2025

By Mark Blackburn
Source: APTN News
May 22, 2025

The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (Caring Society) says that Canada's allegations that it caused a deal that would have reformed the First Nations child welfare system to fail is not based in fact.

In a brief submitted to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) executive director Cindy Blackstock on Thursday said that "Canada repeatedly deflects blame onto the Caring Society."

"This focus pays no heed to First Nations leadership's independent decision to require revisions to the process by which the Draft FSA (Final Settlement Agreement) was negotiated, to its content and to the calls in the various resolutions for Canada to come back to the table," the Caring Society said in the submission.

"Nor does it explain why Canada continues to refuse to consult with anyone regarding Long-Term Reform outside Ontario, including the AFN (Assembly of First Nations) and the NCCC (National Children's Chiefs Commission) Canada's conduct is not consistent with its own asserted pretenses."

In a brief filed by Canada to the CHRT on May 15, lawyers said despite Canada's best efforts, the "dialogic approach with the Caring Society and the AFN (collectively the Complainants) is no longer working."

In the filing, Canada argued "the Complainants' recent, new position on long-term reform is unreasonable and far beyond what they previously agreed is necessary to remedy discrimination and prevent its recurrence. There is therefore no practical utility in requiring that Canada continue to consult with the Complainants at this time."

The federal government argued that the AFN and Caring Society are now making "extensive further demands" to the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.

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