{"settlement":{"id":"first-nations-child-family-services-jordans-principle-2023","slug":"first-nations-child-family-services-jordans-principle-2023","title":"First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan's Principle Settlement","category":"Discrimination and Human Rights","status":"Claims open","tags":{"industry":["Government services"],"geographic":["Canada-wide"],"recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Identity verification required","Other documentation"],"eligibilityTrigger":["Experienced abuse or harm","Family member of an affected person","Other"]},"classDefinition":"The class includes First Nations children who, while under the age of majority between April 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022, were living on a reserve or in the Yukon (or whose caregiving parent or grandparent was) and were removed from their homes by child welfare authorities or voluntarily placed into care funded by Indigenous Services Canada; First Nations children, whether living on or off reserve, who were confirmed to need an essential service but faced a delay, denial or gap in receiving it between April 1, 1991 and November 2, 2017; First Nations children living on reserve who were placed off-reserve with a non-family caregiver who received no child welfare funding for the placement while a Child Welfare Authority was involved; and certain caregiving parents and grandparents of these children. Removals in the Northwest Territories are not covered.","plainLanguageSummary":"If you are a First Nations person who, as a child between 1991 and 2022, was removed from your home on reserve or in the Yukon and placed into care, or who was confirmed to need an essential service between 1991 and 2017 and did not receive it in time, or if you are a caregiving parent or grandparent of such a child, you may be eligible for a cash payment from the $23.34 billion settlement.","eligibilityCriteria":[],"recoveryRange":{"min":40000},"filingInstructions":"Check that your class is open: claims are currently accepted only for the Removed Child Class (Form A, or Form B for a deceased child) and the Removed Child Family Class (Form C, or Form D for a deceased parent or grandparent); the other seven classes will open in phases\nGet free help if you need it by calling the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755; you do not need a lawyer, and Claims Helpers can assist at no cost\nGather a photocopy, scan or photo of the class member's government identification, such as an Indian Status Card or driver's licence (photo ID preferred; never send originals)\nFill out the Claim Form with the class member's name, date of birth and your contact information (the Indian Registration Number is recommended but not required)\nIf you are claiming for a caregiving parent or grandparent, complete the details of each removed child in Part 6 of the form\nIf you are a Personal Representative for a person under disability, attach proof of your appointment (such as a Power of Attorney or appointment order) and your own government ID\nIf you are claiming for someone who has died, attach proof of death and either the will, probate or ISC administration letter, or evidence that you are the closest living family member\nSign the privacy release and acknowledgement section of the form\nSubmit the form online at www.portal.fnchildclaims.ca (recommended), by email to Claims@Admin.FNChildClaims.ca, by fax to 416-815-2723, or by mail to Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2500 STN MAIN, Newmarket, ON L3Y 0H9 by March 10, 2028 (later if you are still under the age of majority).","caseBackground":"These class actions concerned Canada's treatment of First Nations children. Children living on reserve or in the Yukon were removed from their homes by child welfare agencies and placed in out-of-home care between April 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022. Other First Nations children were denied timely access to essential services they were confirmed to need between April 1, 1991 and November 2, 2017, contrary to a legal rule known as Jordan's Principle. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found in 2016 that Canada's underfunding of these services was discriminatory.\n\nThe Federal Court approved the Settlement Agreement on October 24, 2023. Canada will pay $23.34 billion in compensation to impacted First Nations children and some of their family members, the largest settlement in Canadian history. A $50 million fund will also assist First Nations children and families impacted by Canada's discrimination, and an additional $90 million fund will benefit high-needs Jordan's Principle class members to support their personal dignity and well-being.","administratorName":"Settlement Administrator - First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan's Principle Settlement (Deloitte)","administratorContacts":[{"type":"phone","label":"Claims support and claim form assistance","value":"1-833-852-0755"},{"type":"online","label":"","value":"https://www.fnchildclaims.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"","value":"Generalinfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca"},{"type":"fax","label":"","value":"416-815-2723"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2500 STN MAIN, Newmarket, ON L3Y 0H9"}],"administratorRole":"claims","agentName":"","agentContacts":[],"agentClaimFormHelp":false,"classCounselName":"Sotos LLP, Kugler Kandestin LLP, Miller Titerle + Co., Nahwegahbow, Corbiere, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP","classCounselContacts":[],"classCounselFirms":[{"name":"Sotos LLP","region":"","contacts":[]},{"name":"Kugler Kandestin LLP","region":"","contacts":[]},{"name":"Miller Titerle + Co.","region":"","contacts":[]},{"name":"Nahwegahbow, Corbiere","region":"","contacts":[]},{"name":"Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP","region":"","contacts":[]}],"submissionMethods":[{"type":"online","label":"Online claims portal (recommended)","value":"https://www.portal.fnchildclaims.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"","value":"Claims@Admin.FNChildClaims.ca"},{"type":"fax","label":"","value":"416-815-2723"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2500 STN MAIN, Newmarket, ON L3Y 0H9"}],"sourceDocuments":[{"url":"/uploads/c8bfaecec6a93b17a899573a-1A-CF-EN-RCC.pdf","title":"Claim Form"},{"url":"/uploads/e56faed7f5b61f71f73abeff-1A-CF-FR-RCC.pdf","title":"Formulaire de réclamation"}],"shortFormNoticeUrl":"/uploads/ec2089ff9e2922b9f05e3a33-FNCW-Short-Form-Notice-English-Final.pdf","longFormNoticeUrl":"","settlementAgreementUrl":"","claimFormDocumentUrl":"/uploads/c8bfaecec6a93b17a899573a-1A-CF-EN-RCC.pdf","claimForms":[{"id":"5e2b0bf2504e","url":"/uploads/c8bfaecec6a93b17a899573a-1A-CF-EN-RCC.pdf","name":"Claim Form A: Removed Child Class","language":"en","subForms":[{"id":"951e6901cf8d","url":"/uploads/d0af171bd69f4efed30cb2cf-CompanionGuide1A-CG-EN-RCC.pdf","name":"Claim Form A Guide","language":"en","description":"This companion guide helps a Removed Child or their Personal Representative complete and submit Form A for settlement compensation."}],"description":"Use this Claim Form if you are a Removed Child Class Member submitting a Claim for yourself; or\na Personal Representative of a Removed Child Class Member who is a Person Under Disability."},{"id":"2bcb7af7d690","url":"/uploads/e56faed7f5b61f71f73abeff-1A-CF-FR-RCC.pdf","name":"Formulaire de demande d’indemnisation A: Groupe des enfants retirés de leur foyer","language":"fr","subForms":[{"id":"cfce58769295","url":"/uploads/f896cf5371275b3e5aaff23f-CompanionGuide1A-CG-FR-RCC.pdf","name":"Guide d’accompagnement du formulaire de demande d’indemnisation A","language":"fr","description":"Ce guide explique comment remplir et envoyer le formulaire A pour réclamer une indemnisation à titre d'enfant retiré ou son représentant légal."}],"description":"Utilisez ce formulaire de demande d’indemnisation si vous êtes un membre du groupe des enfants retirés de leur foyer qui soumet une demande d’indemnisation en votre nom propre; ou un représentant légal d’un membre du groupe des enfants retirés de leur foyer qui est une personne frappée d’incapacité."},{"id":"fa6fe354caa5","url":"/uploads/95c90766a93673c2b42c8b61-1B-CF-EN-RCC.pdf","name":"Claim Form B: Representative of a Deceased Removed Child","language":"en","subForms":[{"id":"bd305b1b1dd1","url":"/uploads/ca6e3fb2c8baef08081dd405-CompanionGuide1B-CG-EN-RCC.pdf","name":"Claim Form B Guide","language":"en","description":"This Companion Guide helps a Representative of a deceased First Nations child who was removed from home complete and submit Claim Form B."}],"description":"This form is for a Representative, either an estate executor or an heir, filing a claim on behalf of a deceased Removed Child."},{"id":"9140e35fe204","url":"/uploads/ff7a387a9fe81ec6c810f192-1B-CF-FR-RCC.pdf","name":"Formulaire de demande d’indemnisation B : Représentant d’un enfant retiré de son foyer qui est décédé","language":"fr","subForms":[{"id":"788f6d7b608b","url":"/uploads/d893822b51cabd04b7881234-CompanionGuide1B-CG-FR-RCC.pdf","name":"Guide d’accompagnement du formulaire de demande d’indemnisation B","language":"fr","description":"Ce guide aide le représentant d'un enfant retiré décédé à remplir et soumettre correctement le formulaire B de réclamation."}],"description":"Ce formulaire s'adresse au représentant légal ou à l'héritier d'un enfant retiré décédé entre le 1er avril 1991 et le 31 mars 2022."},{"id":"c85c1a2bf3f2","url":"/uploads/eca502c342fcdbb80521c866-2C-CF-EN-RCFC.pdf","name":"Claim Form C: Caregiving Parent or Caregiving Grandparent of a Removed Child","language":"en","subForms":[{"id":"b02a6929099f","url":"/uploads/e41c9c95ca5c2ae9763f2058-CompanionGuide2C-CG-EN-RCFC.pdf","name":"Claim Form C Guide","language":"en","description":"This companion guide helps Caregiving Parents, Caregiving Grandparents, or their Personal Representatives complete and submit Claim Form C for compensation."}],"description":"This form is for a Caregiving Parent or Caregiving Grandparent claiming compensation for a Removed Child."},{"id":"4c36ba7047af","url":"/uploads/5bff85f1bc7662e7031e62b4-2C-CF-FR-RCFC.pdf","name":"Formulaire de demande d’indemnisation C: Parents ou grands-parents responsables d’un enfant retiré de son foyer","language":"fr","subForms":[{"id":"9b5e10df0057","url":"/uploads/5386533424d3f03f56467a66-CompanionGuide2C-CG-FR-RCFC.pdf","name":"Guide d’accompagnement du formulaire de demande d’indemnisation C","language":"fr","description":"Ce guide explique comment remplir et envoyer le Formulaire C pour les parents ou grands-parents responsables d'un enfant retiré."}],"description":"Ce formulaire s'adresse au parent ou grand-parent vivant responsable d'un enfant retiré de son foyer."},{"id":"e245213d860d","url":"/uploads/4fefd6bb18d0a2155aa3531f-2D-CF-EN-RCFC.pdf","name":"Claim Form D: Representative of a Deceased Caregiving Parent or Caregiving Grandparent of a Removed Child","language":"en","subForms":[{"id":"2b568a7b3ada","url":"/uploads/876a9c8d9e39b484b973fec8-CompanionGuide2D-CG-EN-RCFC.pdf","name":"Claim Form D Guide","language":"en","description":"This companion guide helps a representative of a deceased caregiving parent or grandparent complete and submit Claim Form D."}],"description":"This form is for a legally appointed representative or heir filing a claim on behalf of a deceased caregiving parent or grandparent."},{"id":"fc445c67abf6","url":"/uploads/13fcf7e707032530ca03c19a-2D-CF-FR-RCFC.pdf","name":"Formulaire de demande d’indemnisation D : Représentant d’un parent ou d’un grand-parent responsable décédé d’un enfant retiré de son foye","language":"fr","subForms":[{"id":"8dcb5194b2c2","url":"/uploads/98de81d4cd314ac9052d33fb-CompanionGuide2D-CG-FR-RCFC.pdf","name":"Guide d’accompagnement du formulaire de demande d’indemnisation D","language":"fr","description":"Ce guide aide le représentant d'un parent ou grand-parent décédé à remplir le Formulaire D de demande d'indemnisation."}],"description":"Ce formulaire s'adresse au représentant légal ou héritier d'un parent ou grand-parent décédé responsable d'un enfant retiré."}],"claimFormsButtonLabel":"forms","claimFormsUnavailable":false,"claimFormsUnavailableReason":"","claimFormGuides":[],"additionalDocuments":[],"optOutFormUrl":"","optOutInstructions":"The deadline to opt out was August 23, 2023 and has passed. A class member who was unable to opt out in time because of illness, homelessness, addiction or another significant obstacle may apply to the Federal Court for leave to opt out late. Contact the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 for information.","objectionFormUrl":"","objectionInstructions":"The period for objecting to the settlement closed before the approval hearing. The Federal Court approved the Settlement Agreement on October 24, 2023, and it is binding on all class members who did not opt out.","faqs":[{"answer":"Canada will pay $23.34 billion in compensation to impacted First Nations children and some of their family members. Most classes receive a base payment of $40,000. Children who were removed from their homes may also receive an enhancement payment based on their age at removal, time in care and other factors. Some classes receive up to $20,000 or $40,000 depending on the number of approved claims. Payments are not taxable.","question":"How much compensation will I receive?"},{"answer":"Claim Forms for the Removed Child Class and the Removed Child Family Class must be submitted by March 10, 2028. If the Removed Child is currently under the age of majority, the form may be submitted starting two years before they reach the age of majority, and the deadline is the later of three years after they reach the age of majority or March 10, 2028. Claims are not yet open for the Jordan's Principle, Trout, Essential Service and Kith classes; each will have its own deadline once it opens.","question":"What is the deadline to file a claim?"},{"answer":"You can fill out and submit a Claim Form online at www.portal.fnchildclaims.ca (recommended), or send it by email to Claims@Admin.FNChildClaims.ca, by fax to 416-815-2723, or by mail to Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2500 STN MAIN, Newmarket, ON L3Y 0H9. Support to complete the form is available from the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 at no cost to you.","question":"How do I file a claim?"},{"answer":"You must attach a photocopy, scan or photo of the class member's government identification, such as an Indian Status Card or driver's licence; photo ID is preferred. Do not send originals. By signing the form you also authorize Child Welfare Authorities to share records with the Administrator to verify the claim, so you do not need to gather child welfare records yourself.","question":"What proof do I need to provide?"},{"answer":"Claims support services are available from the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 at no cost. If you are experiencing emotional distress, culturally competent counsellors are available 24 hours a day through the Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310 or online at www.hopeforwellness.ca.","question":"What help is available if the claims process is difficult for me?"}],"eligibilityChecker":{"questions":[{"id":"first-nations","text":"Are you (or is the person you are claiming for) a First Nations person, or the caregiving parent or grandparent of a First Nations child?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"removed-or-placed","text":"Between April 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022, was the child removed from their home by child welfare authorities, voluntarily placed into care, or placed off-reserve with a non-family caregiver?","type":"yes_no","helpText":"If the child instead faced a delay or denial of an essential service, answer the next question.","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"essential-service","text":"Alternatively, was the child confirmed to need an essential service but faced a delay, denial or gap in receiving it between April 1, 1991 and November 2, 2017?","type":"yes_no","helpText":"You qualify through either the removal route or the essential service route; you do not need both.","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":false},{"id":"reserve-or-yukon","text":"For a removal claim, was the child or a caregiving parent or grandparent ordinarily resident on a reserve in Canada or anywhere in the Yukon at the time?","type":"yes_no","helpText":"Removals from the Northwest Territories are not covered under this settlement.","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":false}],"uncertainMessage":"Some of your answers were Not sure, so we could not confidently determine your eligibility.","qualifyingMessage":"Based on your answers, you appear to fall within the class definition for this settlement.","nonQualifyingMessage":"Based on your answers, you do not appear to fall within the class definition for this settlement."},"claimCategories":[{"id":"removed-child","name":"Removed Child Class","description":"For First Nations children who, while under the age of majority between April 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022, were living on a reserve or in the Yukon and were removed from their homes by child welfare authorities or voluntarily placed into care, where the placement was funded by Indigenous Services Canada.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Identity verification required"],"recoveryRange":"","eligibilityChecker":{"questions":[{"id":"first-nations-person","text":"Are you (or is the person you are claiming for) a First Nations person?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"removed-as-child","text":"Were you removed from your home as a child by child welfare authorities, or voluntarily placed into care, between April 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"resident-on-reserve","text":"At the time of removal, were you or your caregiving parent(s) or grandparent(s) ordinarily resident on a reserve in Canada or anywhere in the Yukon?","type":"yes_no","helpText":"Removals from the Northwest Territories are not covered under this settlement.","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"isc-funded","text":"Was the placement funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true}]},"eligibilityCriteria":["First Nations child under the age of majority between April 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022","Living on a reserve in Canada or anywhere in the Yukon, or a caregiving parent or grandparent was ordinarily resident on reserve or in the Yukon","Removed from the home by child welfare authorities or voluntarily placed into care","The placement was funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)","Removals from the Northwest Territories are not covered"]},{"id":"family-class","name":"Removed Child Family Class","description":"For the caregiving parent or grandparent of a First Nations child who was removed from their home between April 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022. This includes birth, adoptive and step parents, but does not include foster parents.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Identity verification required"],"recoveryRange":"","eligibilityChecker":{"questions":[{"id":"caregiving-parent-grandparent","text":"Are you the caregiving parent or grandparent of a child who was removed from their home?","type":"yes_no","helpText":"Birth, adoptive and step parents are included; foster parents are not.","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"not-foster-parent","text":"Are you claiming as a foster parent of the child?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"no","criticalForEligibility":true}]},"eligibilityCriteria":["Caregiving parent or grandparent of a child who experienced removal from their home","Includes birth, adoptive and step parents","Does not include foster parents"]},{"id":"jordans-principle-essential-service","name":"Jordan's Principle, Trout Child and Essential Service Classes","description":"Claims are not yet open for these classes; forms and deadlines will be announced by the Administrator. For First Nations children, living on-reserve or off-reserve, who were confirmed to need an essential service but faced a delay, denial or gap in receiving that essential service between April 1, 1991 and November 2, 2017.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["To be determined"],"recoveryRange":"","eligibilityChecker":{"questions":[{"id":"first-nations-child-service","text":"Are you (or is the person you are claiming for) a First Nations person who was a child at the relevant time?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"confirmed-need","text":"Were you confirmed to need an essential service?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"delay-denial-gap","text":"Did you face a delay, denial or gap in receiving that essential service between April 1, 1991 and November 2, 2017?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true}]},"eligibilityCriteria":["First Nations child, living on-reserve or off-reserve","Confirmed to need an essential service","Faced a delay, denial or gap in receiving that essential service between April 1, 1991 and November 2, 2017"]},{"id":"kith-child-family","name":"Kith Child and Kith Family Classes","description":"Claims are not yet open for these classes; forms and deadlines will be announced by the Administrator. For First Nations children placed off-reserve with a non-family caregiver who did not receive any funding related to the placement while a Child Welfare Authority was involved, and for the caregiving parents or grandparents of those children.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["To be determined"],"recoveryRange":"","eligibilityChecker":{"questions":[{"id":"kith-placed-off-reserve","text":"Were you (or the person you are claiming for) a First Nations child placed off-reserve with a non-family caregiver?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"kith-no-funding","text":"Is it the case that the caregiver did not receive any funding related to the placement?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"kith-cwa-involved","text":"Was a Child Welfare Authority involved at the time of the placement?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true}]},"eligibilityCriteria":["First Nations child placed off-reserve with a non-family caregiver","The caregiver did not receive any funding related to the placement","A Child Welfare Authority was involved at the time of the placement","Caregiving parents or grandparents of Kith Child Class children are included in the Kith Family Class"]}],"proceedings":{"body":"One settlement agreement resolves two Federal Court class proceedings: the consolidated Moushoom and Assembly of First Nations action, and the separate Trout action covering earlier Jordan's Principle claims. The agreement also satisfies the compensation orders made by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in the complaint that first found Canada's conduct discriminatory.","note":"Settlement approved by the Federal Court on October 24, 2023 (Moushoom c. Canada (Procureur général), 2023 FC 1466). T-402-19 and T-141-20 were consolidated and certified on November 26, 2021; T-1120-21 was certified on February 11, 2022.","items":[{"court":"Federal Court","caseName":"Moushoom v. Attorney General of Canada","fileNumber":"T-402-19"},{"court":"Federal Court","caseName":"Assembly of First Nations v. Attorney General of Canada","fileNumber":"T-141-20"},{"court":"Canadian Human Rights Tribunal","caseName":"First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and Assembly of First Nations v. Attorney General of Canada","fileNumber":"T1340/7008"}],"heading":"Proceedings covered by this settlement"},"relatedSlugs":[],"group":null,"cardSummary":"If you are a First Nations person who was taken into care as a child, or was denied or delayed an essential service, between 1991 and 2022, you or your caregiving parents may be able to claim.","proofRequired":"","claimTime":"","claimAmount":"","coverageStartDate":"1991-04-01","coverageEndDate":"2022-03-31","deadline":"2028-03-10","optOutDeadline":"2023-08-23","objectionDeadline":"","approvalHearingDate":"","approvalHearingDates":[],"approvalPending":false,"resolution":"settlement","judgmentAppealed":false,"seriousHarmEnabled":false,"quietPresentation":false,"formHelperEnabled":false,"dateAdded":"2026-09-07","lastUpdated":"2026-09-07","firstPublishedAt":"2026-09-07 18:55:34","claimsOpenedAt":"2026-09-07 18:55:34","lastVerifiedAt":"2026-09-07","languages":["en","fr"]}}