It's a real pleasure for me to join you today, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.
I'm also honoured to be joined by Judy Streatch, Nova Scotia Minister of Community Services, and Chief Lawrence Paul, President, Mi'kmaw Family and Children's Services of Nova Scotia.
I want to begin by thanking Mi'kmaw Family and Children's Services for the work you do to strengthen communities and help children lead healthy lives. You are committed and caring professionals who work alongside families to create a healthy environment for children.
I also want to recognize the Province of Nova Scotia's leadership in engaging First Nations to deliver effective and culturally appropriate children and family services.
The framework we're announcing today will help you achieve even better results for children and families by ensuring families receive appropriate child and family services in a timely manner.
The Government of Canada has committed an additional $10.2 million to the Nova Scotia child and family services framework, which will be distributed over five years. This funding will help to identify children at risk and provide support to their family before they reach a crisis. The overall goal is clear: stability, support and improved outcomes for children.
This new approach is similar to the approach our Conservative Government has already taken in Alberta. The tripartite agreement our government signed in Alberta last year provides First Nations agencies with new resources that identify a family's need before a child is removed from the family home.
The agreement we are announcing here today is an example of our government's commitment to work with our partners to implement practical steps that build healthier, stronger First Nations communities. We're committed to supporting the delivery of concrete results that make a difference today and help build a brighter future for First Nation families in Nova Scotia.
First Nation communities have a tradition of coming together to care for their members. Their values are a source of strength when it comes to delivering social services. We have to make sure that we assist communities in making the most of this asset.
This agreement is a great example of what governments and First Nations can achieve when we work together towards a shared goal – high quality services for First Nation children and families. We need to keep going and build on this momentum, so we can ensure that First Nations children have the start they need to build a prosperous future for themselves and their communities. Thank you.
