The Manitoba government is launching an independent external review of the provincial Child and Family Services (CFS) funding and governance model to help strengthen the system, improve transparency and support better outcomes for children, youth and families.

“This review is about building a stronger system that helps keep children safe and supported while ensuring families, communities, and nations have the resources they need to care for their children,” said Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine. “Since the introduction of the Single Envelope Funding model, there have been dramatic changes to the child welfare landscape. This review responds directly to calls from Indigenous leadership and rights holders for greater transparency within the provincial system now and as they work to reclaim jurisdiction over child welfare.”

The current model was introduced in 2019, under the previous government, despite concerns raised by Indigenous leadership and rights holders and has never undergone a comprehensive review, the minister added. Since 2023, the Manitoba government has increased funding to the CFS system each year to respond to pressures identified by agencies and authorities, with more than $77 million in additional annualized funding across the CFS system.

As the child welfare system continues to evolve, the minister noted the CFS funding and governance model must support Indigenous-led care and the exercise of Indigenous jurisdiction over the well-being of children and families. A review will provide a clearer understanding of the needs and challenges within the current funding and governance model, while identifying what changes may be needed to better support children, families, caregivers and communities.

Under the current CFS governance structure, the Manitoba government provides overall policy direction and funding, while the four CFS authorities oversee and manage funding for their mandated agencies.

The Manitoba government will engage an external consulting firm selected through a competitive procurement process to undertake a review focused on:

  • assessing funding supports and pressures within Manitoba’s CFS system;
  • examining financial management and oversight practices throughout the system;
  • reviewing governance structures as they relate to funding and accountability; and
  • identifying funding and governance opportunities to support the return of Indigenous jurisdiction over child welfare.

Indigenous leaders and child welfare partners have called for a review of the model, and the minister noted that partnership will be an important part of the review process. CFS authorities, agencies and system partners, along with Indigenous leadership and rights holders, will participate in the review and contribute their perspectives and expertise.

The review is expected to begin later this year and take approximately a year to complete, the minister noted.