3. Facilitate access to all services and supports for all First Nations children without delay or disruption
Jordan’s Story
Jordan River Anderson was a five-year-old First Nations child from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. He was born in 1999 with a rare disorder that required hospitalization from birth. After spending the first two years of his life in a hospital, doctors felt he could receive care in a medically trained family home near the hospital. However, over the next couple of years the federal and provincial governments could not resolve who was financially responsible for the necessary at-home care.
After spending over two years in hospital without cause while governments disputed who should pay for his at-home care, Jordan died in 2005 having never been able to leave the hospital and receive treatment in a home.
On December 12, 2007, the House of Commons supported a motion that affirms Jordan’s Principle, named in memory of Jordan. A federal court ruling in 2013 and Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision in 2016 means that Jordan's Principle is now law in Canada.
Jordan’s legacy
Today, Jordan’s Principle is a legal obligation, which means it has no end date. While programs and initiatives to support it may only exist for short periods of time, Jordan’s Principle will always be there. Jordan’s Principle will support First Nations children for generations to come.
This is the legacy of Jordan River Anderson.
What is covered?
Jordan's Principle applies to all public services, including services that are beyond the normative standard of care to ensure substantive equality.
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How is Jordan’s Principle being applied in BC? The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is responsible for administering Jordan’s Principle resources in British Columbia. This approach however does not limit or relieve the federal government of its fiduciary responsibilities to First Nations in BC.
Key elements of the FNHA’s approach to case coordination will include:
• FNHA will serve all First Nations, regardless of residence.
• Case coordinators will assess needs; facilitate early intervention; develop integrated care plans; connect the child and family to needed services; remove the stress of navigating service systems; support families as they manage their needs; and involve relevant partners in each case, as necessary, to expediently address immediate service gaps
What
is different about Jordan’s Principle in BC?
Jordan's Principle applies in BC. This arrangement does not hinder its definition or implementation.
Through high-level agreements and many years of working closely with federal and provincial governments, the FNHA has built a strong foundation to address systemic barriers and health inequities for BC First Nations.
Some jurisdictional barriers that persist elsewhere across Canada are being addressed in BC. In 2006, the Province of BC confirmed that it has responsibility for providing health services to all residents of BC, including First Nations.
Additionally, committees, such as the Committee on First Nations Health and the Implementation Committee, work in direct partnership with FNHA to advance progress on issues like Jordan’s Principle here in BC.
Who is eligible in BC?
All First Nations children 0-19 with an identified need for a publicly funded service or support are eligible, regardless of their health or social status, or place of residency (on or off reserve).
For all Jordan’s Principle requests in BC:
Jordan’s Principle Implementation
1.866.913.0033
• English: 1-855-JP CHILD (1-855-572-4453)
• French: 1-833-PJ ENFAN (1-833-753-6326)
• TTY: 1-866-553-0554
Please note: Inquiries will receive an evaluation and determination within 12-48 hours of receipt for individual requests and within 48 hours to 1 week for group requests.
Urgent cases will be assessed as soon as possible.
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Ruling
On May 26, 2017, and amended on November 2, 2017, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) issued a ruling that included an expanded definition of Jordan's Principle.
As part of the ruling, the CHRT ordered the Government of Canada to post this information online.
