Feds spent $707,000 spent on legal fees after child welfare decision
OTTAWA — The federal justice minister’s office says it spent $707,000 in legal fees following a landmark human rights tribunal decision on First Nations child welfare.
Charlie Angus, an NDP MP and leadership candidate who obtained the information through a parliamentary request, questions why the legal tab was necessary.
“I am appalled that this government would spend so much money on fees to lawyers to fight justice for children,” he said in an interview. “When is this disconnect with this government going to end?”
In January 2016, the tribunal found the federal government underfunded the delivery of child services on reserve and has prodded the government on its progress since then.