Children and Families (Legal Information for Indigenous People)

Child protection laws

The legal landscape of child protection law is changing in Canada. It is important to know about the different laws that could apply to your situation. There are different laws to consider in a child protection case.

Federal: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families (Bill C-92)

Provincial: Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA)

Indigenous Laws: Nations have Indigenous laws and traditions and many have or will be enacting their own child protection laws.

"The Federal Act requires that the Indigenous laws and traditions of a child’s own community be reflected in all aspects of caring for that child, even where the Indigenous community has not entered (or may not enter) a process to officially pass their own child welfare law."

– Ardith Walkem, Wrapping Our Ways Around Them

A person who is younger than the legal age of majority, 19 in British Columbia. See "age of majority."

(1) In law, a court proceeding; a lawsuit; an action; a cause of action; a claim. (2) A historic decision of the court; case law. See "action," "case law, " "court proceeding," and "precedent."