Manitoba chiefs decry CFS block funding plan

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This article was published 13/02/2019 (2179 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says it’s concerned about the provincial government’s plan to pivot all Child and Family Services authorities to a block-funding model as of April 1.

The province also announced Monday it would redirect federal Children’s Special Allowance (CSA) monies to child welfare agencies themselves, rather than pocketing the cash.

“The province of Manitoba continues to ignore the longstanding position and resolutions of the AMC Chiefs-in-Assembly that seeks to reassert First Nations’ jurisdiction and approach to our children and families,” said acting grand chief Glenn Hudson in a prepared statement.

“Provincially designed and imposed decisions continually miss the mark in reforming what’s known as the Manitoba humanitarian crisis of child welfare.”

The AMC has been working with the federal government to draft legislation that would let First Nations regain control over CFS, cutting ties with the province.

Swan Lake First Nation Chief Francine Meeches, who chairs the AMC Women’s Council, said the province “continues to ignore” First Nations leadership when working on policies about child welfare.

“The AMC cannot support any provincial measure that continues to wrongfully take monies meant for First Nations children to bolster and fund a provincial system,” Meeches said.

“What should happen is the last 12 years of the CSA should be returned to the children who have gone through the child welfare system in Manitoba,” she added.

“By allowing the agencies to keep the Children’s Special Allowance now, it is likely just to cover up the funding shortfalls incurred by this system.”