Minister files partial judicial review of Ontario First Nation child welfare decision

Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty speaks in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Friday, May 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

OTTAWA -- Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty says her government has filed a partial judicial review of a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision for a child welfare agreement she struck with First Nations in Ontario.

That $8.5-billion agreement marked a step toward resolving a dispute that began in 2007, with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal later ruling the federal government discriminated against First Nations children in its funding of on-reserve child welfare services.

Ontario is the first jurisdiction to approve of an agreement on reforms with the federal government. Gull-Masty said Friday she’s working with others on separate deals after a national agreement was struck down twice by First Nations.

In a decision letter released in March, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal said two First Nations will not be covered by the Ontario final agreement.

Gull-Masty said the judicial review will seek answers on why those First Nations are exempt and what the federal government’s obligations are.

She said the review will not impede the flow of funds to First Nations in Ontario when the agreement takes effect in May.

First Nations leaders in Ontario said in a statement last week it’s disappointing the minister has filed a review, but that it’s encouraging the implementation of the agreement won’t be delayed.

By Alessia Passafiume

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.