How are we working together?
The Ministry of Children and Family Development is working with First Nations and Indigenous partners who have expressed interest in engagement, as well as with Indigenous Services Canada, to facilitate the co-development of a provincial funding model to support First Nations providing child and family services in B.C. The ministry will continue to communicate with First Nations involved in the co-development process through written updates, invitations to engage in co-development sessions and in-person workshops.
Feedback received through the development process was shared in an interim what we heard report and will continue to be used to inform the development of a provincial funding model.
The ministry will continue to use an engagement and co-development approach that:
- Acknowledges the specific rights, interests, priorities and concerns of rights holders and Indigenous partners;
- Respects distinct and unique cultures, histories, rights, laws and governments; and
- Includes different approaches or actions that are responsive to distinct interests and perspectives.
Are there challenges?
Properly consulting with all First Nations in B.C., Modern Treaty Nations and First Nation groups in a reasonable timeframe to meaningfully advance co-development of the funding model will add significant complexity to the process of meeting the diverse needs and expectations of all parties.
The federal government is currently using an interim funding approach. The timeline for when the long-term federal funding model will be developed and implemented is unknown. Integration with a future federal funding model is a process that will require careful negotiations with all parties. Until integration is possible, provincial funding is subject to federal interim policies, including potential reductions in federal funding amounts where it is considered to overlap with areas where the Province contributes funding.
All First Nations in B.C., the First Nations Leadership Council, and Our Children Our Way Secretariat have been invited to review materials and join engagement sessions. Frequent written updates have been sent to partners. Due to capacity limitations, many partners have been unable to fully engage in the process. At the beginning of the funding model process, all First Nations in B.C, Métis and Inuit were invited to review materials and join engagement sessions.
Highlights
The ministry is working with First Nations and other Indigenous partners who expressed interest in engagement, as well as with Indigenous Services Canada, to facilitate the co-development of a provincial funding model to support First Nations in providing child and family services in B.C. In addition to virtual sessions, in-person workshops were held in April and August 2024.