December 12, 2024

It is with a heavy heart that we share the following difficult news. As of December 20, 2024, Wild Rose School Division (WRSD) will be laying off approximately 50 Educational Assistants due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding Jordan’s Principle funding.

Jordan’s Principle is a vital Government of Canada program designed to ensure that First Nations children receive timely access to the services and supports they need. In May 2024, WRSD submitted a group application for Federal grant funding under this program to provide essential educational supports for eligible First Nations students. Historically, these grants have been approved at the regional level, enabling us to offer critical services without interruption. Based on this expectation, we hired several additional Educational Assistants for the start of the 2024–2025 school year for the purpose of providing support to eligible First Nations students.

Unfortunately, this year’s funding approval process has changed and been delayed at the Federal level. Despite our unwavering commitment to supporting students, WRSD is not in a financial position to sustain these services without the necessary funding. By the end of December we will have already invested approximately $750,000 to maintain these critical supports for Indigenous students and families. While this reflects our dedication to ensuring equitable educational opportunities, we cannot continue to shoulder these costs indefinitely.

The ongoing delay in funding approval places these vital supports at significant risk, affecting the well-being and educational outcomes of the students we serve. Sadly, we are not alone in facing these challenges; several school divisions and organizations across Canada are experiencing similar delays. For further context, we encourage you to review a recent CBC News article regarding a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling that has ordered the government of Canada to address the Jordan's Principle backlog immediately.

We recognize the profound impact this decision will have on our students, families, and staff. Please know that our Board of Trustees will continue to advocate for this funding and we encourage you to join us in advocating for timely decisions from the Government of Canada to ensure Indigenous children do not face disruptions to their essential supports. Your voice is powerful, and together, we can continue to push for change. Our Board Chair has sent the following letter to the following list of federal and provincial politicians and organizations.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this challenging time. Together, we will navigate these difficulties while keeping our focus on the learning and well-being of all our students.

If you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to discuss how we can move forward together, please email contactus@wrsd.ca