Ottawa to Pay $23 Billion to Compensate Underfunding of First Nations Child Welfare Programs

Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu speaks at a press conference on a revised final settlement agreement to compensate First Nations children and families, in Ottawa on April 5, 2023. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby

The federal government has reached a revised final settlement agreement with several indigenous organizations that will see Ottawa pay more than $23 billion to compensate First Nations children and families affected by underfunding in the child welfare programs.

“First Nations children and families will be compensated for the harms they faced from discriminatory funding and programs,” Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said in an April 5 press release.