A Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw mother who was once a child in her care will not lose custody of her three children with disabilities because the federal government is unwilling to pay for their essential services. I’m worried about that.
Mary Isaac, a single mother from Antigonish, New South Wales, was notified by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) on Thursday that federal funding for her children’s 24-hour home support and transportation services would be cut off. Ta.
As the deadline approaches, Isaac told CBC News she is “at a loss.”
“This whole process is completely traumatic…It’s not like I’m a neglectful parent.”
Isaac’s children are 4, 10, and 11 years old. They have high needs, with diagnoses such as fetal alcohol syndrome, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Her children began receiving 24-hour services in September 2022 after Isaac was struck by a truck at an intersection while crossing the street in a wheelchair, according to federal court filings.
Isaac has spent most of his life in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, but until the crash he was able to crawl up and down the stairs at his home and tuck his children into bed.
“My mobility has changed because of this unexpected accident,” Isaac said. “We want to do everything we can to make sure the needs of our children are met.”
Indigenous Services Canada temporarily extends services
After hiring a lawyer and making inquiries from CBC News, Isaac was informed by the ministry late Thursday that it would extend his assistance for an additional three weeks to contest the decision to terminate the service.
Isaac was able to access services through a federal program known as the Jordan Principle. The department’s intention to cut off funding to her families now follows the implementation of the ISC’s policy, which aims to ensure the needs of Indigenous children come first, regardless of cost or which government pays. raises serious concerns about the method.
“Rather than governments getting together and coming up with a plan, they said to Mary, ‘You need to come up with one,'” said David Taylor, a lawyer representing Isaac in the Conway case in Ottawa. .
Taylor said the ISC contacted Nova Scotia Child Welfare Services to inform them of Isaac’s situation shortly after the department notified the family that child welfare services would be terminated, so they should not contact child welfare services directly. He said he thinks he took it.
Isaac is concerned that it means he will lose custody of his children. When she was 10 years old, she was removed from the Potlotek First Nation and placed in foster care. Mr Taylor is appealing the ISC’s decision and asking the Federal Court to intervene to prevent history from repeating itself.
Taylor said ISC will not continue to fund support for Isaac’s children because it considers this to be a state social assistance issue. However, Isaac has been unable to find an alternative solution with the Nova Scotia government and is on multiple waiting lists for accessible housing.
CBC News reached out to Indigenous Services Minister Patti Hajdu for a response, but she said she needed more information.
“I need a little more time to understand,” Hajdu said.
In a statement sent to CBC News, ISC said it could not provide information about specific requests. It added that requests for services are considered on a case-by-case basis to support each child’s individual needs.
“Double breach of Canada’s obligations”
Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the Indigenous Children and Family Care Association of Canada, said stopping services for Isaac’s children violates the Canadian Human Rights Act.
“The cases we are dealing with legally require Canada not to discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin,” Blackstock said.
“We are also required by law to provide accommodations for people with disabilities, and this is a double breach of Canada’s obligations.”
The federal NDP critic, who is critical of Indigenous issues, said Isaac’s case also casts serious doubt on the federal government’s efforts to keep Indigenous children with their families.
“Through her courage, she is helping to demonstrate that this Liberal government is not living up to its mandate,” said Nunavut NDP MP Lori Eidraut.
Since 2016, Ottawa has set aside $8.1 billion to meet the health, social and educational needs of Indigenous children through the Jordan Principles, the ISC said. The ministry also said more than 7.8 million products and services were approved under the program during this period.
Isaac said he never expected the funds his family received through the Jordan Principles would be cut off without replacement services while he was recovering from his injury.
She said she feels abandoned by all levels of government and worries it’s only a matter of time before Child Protective Services comes knocking on her door.
“Jordan’s principle is that we really need to focus on the needs of children, not how much something costs,” Isaac said.
“What do I do when nothing else is available? I thought the Jordanian principles had an obligation to Indigenous children to fill that gap.”
