Child Welfare – Birth Alerts and Jordan’s Principle

Birth Alerts

Birth alerts are the discriminatory practice of having a notice placed on a woman’s file that indicate reasons why, upon giving birth, the baby should be apprehended and given over to foster care. This birth alert notice is practiced by health professionals or social workers, without parental awareness or consent. Most provinces and territories have officially abolished the practice; however, the stigma associated with Indigenous parents being inadequate still remains. See: Several Canadian provinces still issue birth alerts, deemed ‘unconstitutional and illegal’ in B.C.

Jordan’s Principle

Jordan’s Principle is named after Jordan River Anderson from Norway House Cree Nation in northern Manitoba. Jordan was born with complex medical needs in a Winnipeg hospital. He spent his life unable to go live in his family home as the federal and provincial governments could not agree on who would be responsible for paying the out of hospital expenses. Jordan died having never had a chance to live in his home community. The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society successfully lobbied the passing of legislation that ensures children receive the care they need without first having governments agree on responsibilities for payment of services.