Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) is pleased to share encouraging news for First Nations children, families, and the professionals who support them. The Government of Canada has announced $1.55 billion in new funding for Jordan’s Principle, helping ensure continued access to essential health, social, and educational services over the next year.

According to CBC News, this renewed investment follows significant concerns about the program’s long-term stability. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty emphasized that the commitment is intended to reduce uncertainty and ensure Jordan’s Principle “remains predictable, practical, and grounded in fairness and respect.”

While this extension provides important short-term program stability, funding alone does not resolve ongoing implementation challenges. Policy changes are still needed to address administrative delays, reimbursement backlogs, and inconsistent regional implementation.

As Canada invests in new service delivery infrastructure, including programs supported through Jordan’s Principle, SAC continues to urge policymakers to design systems with connection, safety, and accessibility at the forefront. This means consulting with speech-language pathologists (S-LPs), audiologists, and communication health assistants to ensure environments support people who cannot hear, speak, or swallow effectively.

In Indigenous and remote communities, improving access to communication health services remains critical. S-LPs, audiologists, and communication health assistants contribute to essential health and educational needs, while also supporting language revitalization and the preservation of Indigenous communication traditions. Yet access gaps persist due to geography, workforce shortages, and inconsistent connectivity.

Jordan’s Principle funding supports many of the services our members provide, both in person and through virtual care. As governments modernize health infrastructure, strong virtual care pathways are essential to ensure First Nations children can receive timely, culturally safe services, no matter where they live. This new federal funding is an important step forward, and SAC will continue advocating for inclusive, well-designed systems that meet the needs of all First Nations children.

SAC remains dedicated to:

• expanding equitable access to communication health services in Indigenous and remote communities;
• advancing virtual care infrastructure developed in partnership with communication health professionals; and
• supporting members who deliver essential Jordan’s Principle–funded services.

We will continue to monitor developments, share updates, and work with policymakers to close longstanding gaps in access to care. If you have questions about how this announcement may impact your practice or the families you serve, please reach out to advocacy@sac-oac.ca.