To the Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and Provincial Health Ministries:

 

We, the undersigned, call on the Canadian government to take immediate action to ensure that Métis children are fully included under the protections of Jordan’s Principle, ensuring they have equitable access to health care, education, and social services.

 

Jordan's Principle was created to ensure that Indigenous children receive the public services they need without delay, regardless of which government is responsible. While this principle has provided essential protections for First Nations children, many Métis children are still left out, facing delays or denials of critical services due to jurisdictional issues between federal and provincial governments.

 

We believe that:

 

• Equity and Inclusion: Every Indigenous child, including Métis, has the right to timely access to essential services, free of barriers or discrimination.

 

• Jurisdictional Disputes Should Not Impact Children: No child should suffer due to bureaucratic disagreements. The health, education, and well-being of Métis children must be a priority.

 

• Commitment to Reconciliation: Expanding Jordan’s Principle to include Métis children is a crucial step toward fulfilling Canada’s commitment to reconciliation and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

 

• Long-Term Health and Social Benefits: Ensuring equitable access to services will lead to healthier, more resilient Métis children and communities, benefiting Canada as a whole.

 

We urge the government to:

 

• Amend Jordan’s Principle to explicitly include Métis children and ensure that they receive the same protections and timely access to services as First Nations children.

 

• Allocate the necessary funding to ensure Métis children can access the care and support they need.

 

• Improve cross-government collaboration to resolve any jurisdictional disputes swiftly, ensuring no Métis child is left without the services they require.

 

• Provide service navigation support to Métis families, helping them navigate the complex systems and access timely services.

 

We ask the Canadian government to act now to address this pressing issue and ensure that Métis children across Canada are no longer left behind.

 

Sign this petition to support the inclusion of Métis children under Jordan’s Principle.