Jordan's Principle

Services

To find out who's covered under Jordan's Principle, visit Who is covered.

Urgent requests

If you have an urgent request that meets the following interim criteria, please contact the Jordan's Principle Call Centre at 1-855-JP-CHILD (1-855-572-4453). This could include:

  • life threatening cases
  • cases involving end-of-life or palliative care
  • risk of suicide
  • risk to physical safety
  • no access to food or basic necessities
  • risk of entering the child welfare system
  • caregivers and children fleeing from domestic violence

This interim criteria of urgent was clarified by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in its November 21, 2024 summary ruling.

Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and there may be some time-sensitive requests that are urgent, but are not covered by the above.

Urgent requests for products, services or supports under Jordan's Principle must be directly linked to the child's urgent circumstances.

Potential delays

Due to the Canada Post strike that began on November 15, 2024, there may be delays related to applications or reimbursements that are sent by mail.

If you would prefer to receive reimbursement through direct deposit, contact your regional focal point to find out how.

Jordan's Principle is free to access

There is no fee for First Nations children to access Jordan's Principle. Regional focal points and service coordinators will help you with a request for free. For help with a request or if you have questions, please contact us.

Available 24 hours, 7 days a week

On this page

Updates on Jordan's Principle

Jordan's Principle External Expert Review Committee

From July to August 2024, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) issued a call for proposals to seek services from professionals in the health, social and education fields to review appeals and issue recommendations as part of the Jordan's Principle External Expert Review Committee. The call is now closed. Thank you to all those who expressed an interest. ISC will communicate the results of the process to those who applied once the evaluation of the proposals is finished.

Other updates on Jordan's Principle

Under Jordan's Principle we are ensuring that First Nations children can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them, while we work with First Nations partners, provinces and territories to develop long-term approaches to help better address the unique needs of First Nations children.

On September 29, 2021, the federal court upheld orders by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal regarding eligibility under Jordan's Principle and compensation. The Government of Canada did not appeal the orders about Jordan's Principle eligibility for products and services.

This means that First Nations families can continue to access Jordan's Principle under the same eligibility criteria that has been in place since November 25, 2020. To find out more, visit:

To learn more about the latest federal court decision on child and family services and Jordan's Principle, or about other related decisions, consult:

Learn more about the agreements-in-principle related to the First Nations Child and Family Services program and Jordan's Principle:

About Jordan's Principle

Jordan's Principle makes sure all First Nations children living in Canada can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. Funding can help with a wide range of health, social and educational needs, including the unique needs that First Nations Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA children and youth and those with disabilities may have.

Jordan's Principle is named in memory of Jordan River Anderson. He was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba.

Requests for Inuit children can be made through the Inuit Child First Initiative.

Helping First Nations children

Text alternative: Helping First Nations children

Between July 2016 and October 31, 2024, more than 8.2 million products, services and supports were approved under Jordan's Principle. These included:

  • speech therapy
  • educational supports
  • medical equipment
  • mental health services
  • and more

A legal rule

In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) determined the Government of Canada's approach to services for First Nations children was discriminatory. One way we are addressing this is through a renewed approach to Jordan's Principle.

Since the ruling, the CHRT has issued a number of follow-up orders about Jordan's Principle. In May 2017, the CHRT ordered that the needs of each individual child must be considered, to ensure the following is taken into account under Jordan's Principle:

This means giving extra help when it is needed so First Nations children have an equal chance to thrive.

What we are doing

We are supporting children who need help right away and are making long-term changes for the future, such as through reforming child and family services.

For the long-term, we are working to build better structures and funding models. These will make sure First Nations children living in Canada get the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. To do this, we are working closely with:

Since 2016, the Government has committed $3.5 billion toward meeting the needs of First Nations children through Jordan's Principle.

Local service coordinators have been hired in communities across Canada. They can help families who:

We fund these coordinators, who are staffed by:

We also have staff across the country dedicated full-time to Jordan's Principle. They work closely with the local coordinators to make sure all requests are processed as quickly as possible.

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