Loss of Jordan's Principle Programs in First Nations Across Canada
Funding for Jordan's Principle services has decreased from $1.72 billion in 2023-24 to $1.64 billion in 2024-25.
First Nations across Canada are reporting the loss of funding for children's programs due to changes in Jordan's Principle rules by the federal government last February.
A notable example is Onigaming First Nation in northern Ontario, which has been under a state of emergency since 2024 due to high death rates, including deaths by suicide.
Just in the past four years, we’ve had 46 deaths. That’s roughly about 5 per cent of our population overall
— Chief Jeff Copenace.
- Crisis response teams
- An after-hours safety team that patrolled homes and the community at night to ensure residents, especially children and youth, were safe
These programs were aimed at addressing mental health issues in the community.
Author's summary: First Nations face loss of vital programs due to funding cuts.