Ottawa promises $1.55B for Jordan’s Principle

Ottawa has pledged $1.55 billion for Jordan’s Principle, the federal government announced Feb. 26, 2026, committing funding intended to ensure First Nations children have equal access to public services. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull‑Masty made the announcement at a news conference in the House of Commons, saying the money will help respond to sustained demand for supports and is set to last until 2027.

"Jordan's Principle must work for those who depend on it," Gull‑Masty said. "We will continue working with First Nations leadership and families to ensure Jordan's Principle remains predictable, practical and grounded in fairness and respect."

Context and immediate details

Jordan’s Principle was named after Jordan River Anderson, a boy from the Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba who died in 2005 at age five amid a two‑year dispute between Manitoba and Ottawa over who would pay for his home care. In 2007 the House of Commons unanimously passed a motion to adopt a child‑first approach to ensure First Nations children receive necessary services without delays caused by jurisdictional battles.

Indigenous Services Canada, which administers the initiative, has struggled to keep up with demand. The department reported a backlog of about 140,000 applications in late 2024, including roughly 25,000 that were labelled urgent. Between July 2016 and Sept. 30, 2025, the department said more than 10 million products, services and supports were approved under Jordan’s Principle.

The initiative allows families to submit requests for a range of needs, including medical, mental health, educational and physiotherapy supports. The new federal funding is positioned as a response to that sustained demand over the past decade while the government works with First Nations leaders and families to reform how Jordan’s Principle operates.

• $1.55 billion pledged by federal government
• Funding announced Feb. 26, 2026 and said to last until 2027
• Backlog reported in late 2024: ~140,000 applications, 25,000 urgent
• More than 10 million approvals recorded from July 2016 to Sept. 30, 2025

The announcement comes amid criticism of an operational bulletin issued last year that narrowed what Jordan’s Principle would approve. That bulletin bars approvals for home renovations, sporting events, international travel, non‑medical supports or school‑related requests unless they are required to ensure equality with non‑First Nations children. First Nations leaders have said the changes have left communities unable to access educational and mental health supports that once qualified under the program.

Outlook

The federal commitment aims to provide short‑term certainty while Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull‑Masty and her department pursue reform with First Nations leadership and families. The government framed the $1.55‑billion injection as a bridge to a reformed, more predictable Jordan’s Principle, but advocacy groups and Indigenous leaders will be watching whether policy changes — including the contested operational bulletin — are reversed or replaced to restore broader access to services.

This report draws on reporting by Olivia Stefanovich of CBC News and on statements from Indigenous Services Canada and Minister Mandy Gull‑Masty.