Native Child and Family Services of Toronto Responds to Federal Budget Initiatives

TORONTO, March 19, 2019 /CNW/ - The federal budget tabled today includes welcome investments aimed at helping Indigenous children and families succeed and at advancing reconciliation, according to Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST). 

"Native Child and Family Services of Toronto maintains a daily focus on reconciliation, working with governments to restore health, wellness, prosperity and self-determination to the Indigenous community in Toronto and looks forward to working with the federal government on the reconciliation initiatives outlined in today's budget", says Jeffrey Schiffer, Executive Director of NCFST. 

It is unfortunate, however, that the funding mechanisms underlining today's budget measures are designed in a way that does not address the acute needs of Indigenous people living off reserve in large urban areas such as the GTA.  Similarly, while a welcome initiative, the measures contained in Bill C-92 in relation to child and family services are solely focused on the importance of Indigenous governance bodies, rather than also involving the Indigenous agencies delivering services in urban centres. 

"NCFST is on the front lines in Toronto, transforming mainstream social work and community services through evidence-based Indigenous values and practices.  We look forward to bringing this higher-level thinking to the initiatives announced in today's budget, as well as to the application of Bill C-92," added Dr. Schiffer.

SOURCE Native Child and Family Services of Toronto