What is Jordan's Principle?
Jordan’s Principle is a child-first legal ruling created to ensure public services or supports ordinarily available to other Canadian children are made available to First Nations and Inuit children and youth throughout Canada without delay or denial.
Jordan’s Principle is named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba who tragically died after spending more than two years unnecessarily in hospital while Canada and Manitoba argued over payment for his at-home care.
After Jordan tragically passed away in hospital, advocates pushed governments to respond and prevent it from ever happening again. In 2007 after years of work by community advocates and leadership, the House of Commons finally and unanimously passed Motion-296, enacting Jordan’s Principle.
Since 2007, there have been several Canadian Human Rights Tribunal complaints and orders that as a result had further clarified the scope, definition and implementation of Jordan’s Principle. Jordan’s Principle is a legal obligation with no end date.
Who is Jordan River Anderson?
"Jordan could not talk, yet people around the world heard his message. Jordan could not breathe on his own and yet he has given the breath of life to other children. Jordan could not walk but he has taken steps that governments are now just learning to follow."
Jordan River Anderson was born in 1999 with multiple complex medical needs. In 2001, a hospital-based team decided that Jordan’s needs would best be met in a specialized foster home closer to his home community. However, federal and provincial governments argued over financial responsibility for Jordan’s proposed in-home services.
During these conflicts, Jordan remained in hospital, even though it was not medically necessary for him to be there. Jordan died in 2005 at the age of 5, never having had the opportunity to live in his family’s home.
Jordan’s death ignited a movement to uphold human rights for all First Nations children through the creation of the child-first principle called “Jordan’s Principle.”
The Messenger Documentary
Watch this powerful documentary by Alanis Obomsawin which tells the story of how the life of Jordan River Anderson initiated a battle for the right of First Nations and Inuit children to receive the same standard of social, health and educational services as the rest of the Canadian population. Available on Amazon Prime or the National Film Board.
Learn more about eligibility and how to apply for Jordan’s Principle in Alberta.