Procedural changes coming to Jordan’s Principle

Some changes are being made to how service requests will be processed with Jordan’s Principle.

Indigenous Services Canada, the organization that oversees Jordan’s Principle, announced that they have been reviewing the Principle’s different policies and procedures “with long term sustainability in mind.”

The ISC announcement states that they are aiming to provide more consistent policies that are easier to understand for First Nations and Indigenous people who need support for their children. The ISC states that they are experiencing a drastic increase in the number of support requests, and is therefore looking to set up new regional offices to help handle the larger number requests, which they hope will also speed up the processing phase.

Under these changes, requests must show how specific Jordan’s Principle services will meet the needs of the child, how the child experienced delays in accessing traditional government services, or was explicitly denied access to said services. Requests must also come attached with supporting documents provided by a professional.

There have also been some changes made to how certain requests will be funded. Money will only be provided to requests when it is required “by substantive equality.” Some examples provided by the ISC include purchasing or renovating homes, support for sporting events, international travel, and other non-medical supports like travel, clothing, and vehicles.

All requests are considered on a case by case basis, and none of these changes will have any effect on the eligibility of Jordan’s Principle for Indigenous children, and will continue to provide aid for children under the age of majority in their province or territory.