“Jordan’s Principle was working in the North. It helped children catch up and, at times, thrive — especially in smaller communities where supports are scarce. Rolling it back now would hurt the very people it was meant to help”
– Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon-Armstrong
The territorial government continues to press Ottawa to reverse cuts to the Jordan’s Principle, a program designed to reduce inequities compared to southern Canada and provide education and health supports for Northern Indigenous young people.
In a joint statement issued Wednesday, Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland and Health and Social Services Minister Lesa Semmler said the new Liberal Government is showing signs of reversing the changes introduced under former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Read the statement: “In many Northern communities, Jordan’s Principle isn’t supplemental — it’s essential. In southern Canada, families may have other options. In the North, this program often fills the gaps. These cuts will deepen inequities and dismantle supports that were finally starting to work — not only in education, but across early childhood development, child and family services, mental health and addictions, and medical travel.”
Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, at left, federal Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, NWT Education, Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government Ɂek’wahtı̨dǝ́ Danny Gaudet and Premier R.J. Simpson in Ottawa in June. (Photo: Premier’s office/Facebook)
We are hopeful — and confident — that this new government will work with us to get this right. We’re committed to working closely with our federal and Indigenous partners to design a model that works on the ground, reflects our unique circumstances, and ensures no child falls through the cracks.
The recent restrictions — introduced by the previous federal government — are reversing previously approved decisions, including funding for educational assistants, learning supports, and culturally relevant programming.
Already, nearly 80 educational assistants in Yellowknife alone are facing layoffs, with additional positions at risk in communities across the territory.
That means fewer supports for students with complex needs. Fewer adults in classrooms. More pressure on teachers. And families left to fight for services their children need and deserve.
Graduation rates for Indigenous students in the NWT have risen by six per cent over the past three years, thanks to the program.
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that no First Nations child should be denied access to services because of jurisdictional wrangling or administrative hurdles.
That’s what led to the creation of this program. Rolling it back now would mean breaking that promise, read the statement.
The statement concluded: “We’re ready to work together to protect children, uphold the spirit and intent of Jordan’s Principle, and ensure Indigenous and Northern families continue to receive the support they need. The time to act is now.”
Last week, a contingent of NWT ministers — including Premier R.J. Simpson — and Indigenous leaders we travelled to Ottawa to raise these concerns directly with federal Ministers and officials.
Standing Committee on Social Development chair Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon-Armstrong was with the group: “Jordan’s Principle was working in the North. It helped children catch up and, at times, thrive — especially in smaller communities where supports are scarce. Rolling it back now would hurt the very people it was meant to help. I’m encouraged by the early signals from this new federal government, and hopeful that they will act quickly to protect the progress we’ve made and strengthen the supports our children depend on.”
