Manitoba’s Indigenous leaders gather for historic settlement

Indigenous leaders from Manitoba convened in Winnipeg Thursday for the hearing to approve a historic $530 million settlement, stemming from the province’s improper use of funds intended for child and family services.

“The reason we are here is because families have gone through hard times, children have gone through dark times, troubles,” said Al Benoit, chief of staff with the Manitoba Métis Federation.

In March of this year, the province agreed to pay reparations for Manitoba’s Children’s Special Allowance policy, which over the span of 14 years, beginning in 2005, illegally took more than $334 million in CSA benefits from children who were in the custody of a Child and Family Services agency.

Once approved the settlement will require deadlines for payment from Manitoba as well as additional conditions including an apology by the Minister of Families.

At an announcement elsewhere in the city, Premier Wab Kinew said it’s the province’s collective responsibility to ensure that children in need receive the care they deserve.

“With the settlement moving ahead, I hope that folks can get access to the resources they deserve and in terms of what this means, we are righting a historic wrong here,” said Premier Wab Kinew.

An official approval of the settlement is expected Friday.