The prime minister said he would apologize for discrimination in the care of First Nations children

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to publicly apologize for the discrimination First Nations children and their families face as a result of the federal government’s child welfare policies, CBC News has learned.

Trudeau outlined the government’s plan to apologize in a June 17 letter to Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak.

“I confirm that the Government of Canada is committed to a public apology for the discriminatory behavior … and for the past and ongoing harm it has caused,” Trudeau wrote in the letter obtained by CBC News.

Trudeau says in his letter that he has asked Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu and Justice Minister Arif Virani to lead consultations on the content of the apology.

Hajdu’s office confirmed it is in discussions with First Nations partners about what an apology might look like and what steps need to be taken before it happens.

“This is a necessary step on the path to reconciliation,” said Hajdu spokesman Simon Ross.

The apology would fulfill one of the government’s commitments in a recently finalized $23 billion settlement that seeks to provide compensation to First Nations people affected by federal policies that encourage the removal of their children.

Under the agreement, more than 300,000 First Nations children and family members will receive tens of thousands of dollars because Ottawa has chronically and willfully underfunded services for First Nations children and families on reserves and in the Yukon.

Federal lawyers will work with settlement lawyers and other First Nations partners to obtain their views on the content, timing and location of the apology.

Woodhouse Nepanik told CBC News she plans to ask Trudeau for an apology when Parliament resumes after the summer recess.

The agreement is based on a 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling that Canada engaged in willful and reckless discrimination against First Nations children and families by failing to provide them with the same level of child and family services as elsewhere.

In 2019, the tribunal ordered Canada to pay a maximum human rights penalty of $40,000 per First Nation child and family member.

In addition to the compensation, Ottawa also pledged an additional $20 billion to reform First Nations policy on child and family services.

“Addressing harm to First Nations children and families is at the heart of the agreement and a significant step in the reconciliation process,” Trudeau wrote.

“Canada is committed to the ongoing work to implement the final agreement and provide reparations to First Nations children and families.”