Jordan’s Principle is named in honour of Jordan River Anderson, a young First Nations boy from Norway House Cree Nation in northern Manitoba. He spent his entire five-year life in hospital, while both the Canadian and Manitoba governments refused to pay for the in-home medical care necessary for him to live in his home and community.
Payment disputes between federal and provincial or territorial governments over services for First Nations children are common. First Nations children are left waiting for services they need while these disputes are sorted out.
Jordan's Principle is a legal requirement that provides access to services for First Nations children and ensures that the government of first contact pays for the services without delay. This child-first-based principle makes sure all First Nations children living in Canada have equitable access to all government-funded public services when they need them. This includes funding for a wide range of health, social, and educational needs.
The principle:
- applies to all First Nations children, whether they live on or off-reserve; and
- isn’t limited to children with disabilities.
Under Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) policy, non-status children on-reserve are being considered eligible for coverage under Jordan’s Principle. To find out how to confirm with a First Nations official that a child is recognized by their nation for the purposes of Jordan's Principle, contact:
Jordan's Principle BC focal point
- 778-951-0716
- email sac.principedejordancb-bcjordansprinciple.isc@canada.ca
For payment inquiries, call 778-951-0716 or email sac.paiementsprincipedejordancb-bcjordansprinciplepayments.isc@canada.ca
Jordan’s Principle Call Centre
- 1-855-572-4453 (1-855-JP-CHILD), available 24 hours, 7 days a week
For more information about Jordan’s Principle, see, the Assembly of First Nations website.