Quebec’s first tripartite coordination agreement through Bill C-92

This article was prepared with the assistance of summer law student Kiera Munroe.

On July 10, 2026, the Chief and Council of Uashat mak Mani-utenam (the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam (ITUM)), the Government of Canada (“Canada”) and the Government of Quebec (“Quebec”) entered into the first tripartite coordination agreement in Quebec. A signing ceremony was held at the Tshissenitamun Mitshuap Cultural Centre.

The Tshisheuatishitau Child and Family Services Coordination Agreement (the “Coordination Agreement”) marks a seminal achievement and sets an important precedent as several other First Nations in Quebec and other provinces are working toward reclaiming their inherent jurisdiction over child and family well-being.

Overview of coordination agreements

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (Bill C-92) has two fundamental purposes:

1. to establish minimum standards for how child and family services (CFS) must be provided to Indigenous children; and
2. to recognize and affirm that Indigenous peoples’ inherent right of self-government includes jurisdiction over CFS and the right to care for and protect their children and families in their own ways.

Under Bill C-92, when an Indigenous community intends to exercise its legislative authority over CFS under the Bill C-92 framework, it may request that the federal and applicable provincial or territorial governments enter into a coordination agreement. These agreements set out the relationship between the various governments and the mechanisms required to support the Indigenous community’s exercise of its inherent authority over CFS and transition to their model. They help to ensure that the Indigenous community’s right of self-government over CFS is effectively coordinated and respected by Canada and the provinces/territories and that the well-being of children and families is prioritized.

As discussed in a previous article, coordination agreements are unique and tailored to each Indigenous community, and can include any measures related to the effective exercise of the Indigenous Governing Body’s (IGB) jurisdiction over CFS, including:

1. the roles and responsibilities of each government;
2. jurisdictional matters;
3. transitional arrangements, including details regarding information sharing and the transition from the provincial CFS system to the IGB’s model and how children will be placed at the centre and prioritized during the transition;
4. support measures to enable Indigenous children to exercise their rights effectively;
5. dispute resolution and liability;
6. how Canada and the province/territory can support the IGB in their journey to reclaim jurisdiction over CFS and the implementation of their CFS model; and
7. any other measures to ensure that the IGB can implement their jurisdiction effectively and achieve positive long-term outcomes for their children.

Importantly, if an IGB enters into a coordination agreement or makes reasonable efforts to enter into a coordination agreement for one year, Bill C-92 provides that the Indigenous community’s CFS law will have the force of law as federal law and will prevail over conflicting or inconsistent federal, provincial or territorial laws, subject to certain exceptions.

In addition, funding can be included in a coordination agreement or in a separate fiscal agreement. Funding should be predictable, stable, sustainable, needs-based and consistent with the principle of substantive equality.

To date, Indigenous Services Canada has received more than 120 notices of intent to exercise jurisdiction through the Bill C-92 framework and more than 80 requests to enter into a coordination agreement. More than 15 coordination agreements have been signed to date through the Bill C-92 framework, and more than 20 Indigenous CFS laws have come into force. These figures highlight the fact that ITUM’s coordination agreement forms part of a broader shift toward Indigenous-led CFS systems across Canada.

The Tshisheuatishitau Child and Family Services Coordination Agreement

The tripartite Coordination Agreement between ITUM, Canada and Quebec marks a significant step toward implementing Uashat mak Mani-utenam’s CFS law, the Tshisheuatishitau Act. It also helps to ensure that the Tshisheuatishitau Act will be given the force of federal law and replace Quebec’s Youth Protection Act as the legislation applicable to CFS for the Innu of UMM.

The Tshisheuatishitau Act is rooted in UMM’s values, language and traditions, and is intended to help keep Innu of Uashat mak Mani-utenam children connected to their families, community, language and traditional ways of life. It establishes a governance framework and CFS model designed by and for the Innu of Uashat mak Mani-utenam and will apply to the Innu of Uashat mak Mani-utenam in the Côte Nord region instead of Quebec’s Youth Protection Act. Uashat mak Mani-utenam’s CFS model places children and families at the centre, prioritizes prevention and emphasizes culturally appropriate approaches to CFS. It also incorporates meaningful family participation and the transmission of Innu knowledge in decisions. It is expected to come into force in September of 2026.

The Coordination Agreement is a recognition of self-determination and the inherent right of the ITUM to exercise jurisdiction over CFS. As part of the Coordination Agreement, Canada has reportedly committed $137 million to support ITUM in assuming full responsibility for CFS and implementing its own Innu system of care through to 2030.

MLT Aikins has a team of lawyers with experience helping Indigenous communities draft their own CFS laws and negotiate coordination and fiscal agreements with federal and provincial  governments. We are happy to assist Indigenous communities at all stages of their journey to reclaim jurisdiction, including drafting, enacting and implementing their CFS laws and transitioning away from the provincial CFS system to their own model of care. We can also assist in negotiating and drafting coordination and fiscal agreements that meet your community’s unique needs and priorities. Contact one of the authors or a member of our Indigenous practice area.

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