As First Nations leaders pressure the Trudeau government to table its promised Indigenous child welfare legislation, one province is looking for clarity on how it will impact its systems.
The Saskatchewan government confirms that it did receive a copy of the draft bill.
“In discussion with other provinces and First Nations leaders, a number of parties currently involved in delivering child welfare services are looking for clarity from the federal government on this draft legislation. This includes seeking clarity on the impact the legislation would have on child welfare systems and agreements that are currently in place,” Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said in a statement. “Currently, Saskatchewan has 17 Child and Family Services Agreements in place with our First Nations partners delivering child welfare services on-reserve to 61 First Nations.”
Last week the FSIN penned an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling on his government to fulfill his promise.
“In December of 2018, you made a commitment at a National Chiefs Gathering in Ottawa. The promise was that Child Welfare Legislation would be priority by end of January 2019. However, this date has come and gone and the budget for this legislation has not been presented,” Chief Cameron says in the letter.
Time is running out for the federal government to table its legislation so that it receives royal assent before Parliament rises for a fall election.
A date on when that legislation will be put to the House of Commons has not been given.