May 29, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Indigenous Services Canada, Chiefs of Ontario, and Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, joined Regional Chief Abram Benedict, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation in Ottawa to mark the official implementation of the Ontario Final Agreement to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services Program across the province. As of today, funding begins to flow under the Agreement, supporting First Nations-led approaches that focus on prevention, family supports, and better outcomes for children.
The $8.5 billion Agreement marks a transformative step toward First Nations-led services that are compassionate and culturally grounded, strengthening families, supporting children, and advancing First Nations self-determination for generations to come. Its goal is clear: fewer First Nations children in care, fewer children entering care for the first time, and more families receiving the support they need before a crisis occurs.
Representing over 130 First Nations and nearly a quarter of a million people-including more than 60,000 families-the Chiefs of Ontario, alongside Nishnawbe Aski Nation's 49 northern communities and approximately 50,000 members, celebrated this historic milestone and the beginning of implementation.
The announcement was grounded in ceremony and tradition, reflecting both the deep cultural significance of this milestone and the strength of partnership that made it possible. As the first agreement of its kind in Canada, the gathering opened with drum and water ceremonies under the guidance of a Knowledge Keeper, followed by remarks from leadership and youth honouring the shared commitment to children and families. Sacred ceremonies, including the pipe and drum, carried forward the voices, responsibilities, and hopes of communities, affirming a new path shaped together through First Nations leadership and partnership with Canada.
This milestone agreement empowers families with greater flexibility and a stronger voice in shaping culturally grounded services, supported by flexible funding that prioritizes prevention and keeps children safely connected to their families and communities.
As implementation begins, this milestone marks the start of a carefully phased transition that will unfold over the coming months, guided by First Nations leadership and partnership with Canada. This deliberate approach supports continuity of care while creating the time and space needed for communities to bring this transformative vision to life-advancing new funding models and programs rooted in culture, self-determination, and the strength of First Nations families.
Moving forward, the Ontario Reform Implementation Committee will become the main governance body for the reformed First Nations Child and Family Services Program in Ontario, overseeing and monitoring its implementation and making recommendations to Canada.
