Ottawa blamed as 65 Métis, Michif CFS workers laid off

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This article was published 07/03/2025 (195 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — A battle over funding has resulted in dozens of Métis and Michif child and family services workers receiving layoff notices.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union says 44 workers with Métis Child and Family Services and 21 with Michif Child and Family Services received the notices Thursday. The union represents 220 members at Métis CFS and 110 at Michif CFS.

Union president Kyle Ross said the cuts won’t just affect workers, but the families and youth who need their help.

“These people look after vulnerable youth, vulnerable families, who need the extra support,” Ross said.

“When the supports aren’t there the outcomes could be dangerous, could be tragic… it is just a frustrating position for our workers. They believe in the work they do and they see the help it does for families, and being told now you can’t do this work, I can’t really imagine what they are feeling.

“It has to be a terrible feeling.”

Ross said the layoff notices come just weeks after members voted on strike mandates. They’ve been without a contract since Jan. 31, 2023.

He said he doesn’t understand why the workers are being laid off when the union is aware the agencies are getting millions of dollars in increased funding this year.

“Without a fair wage increase, it will be hard to retain and attract professionals to these jobs,” Ross said. “Not enough staff means children and families will be at risk and may not get the care they need.”

Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand said he blames the federal government for not following through with the funding needed to help children in care. He said if the proper funding had come through, it not only would have prevented the layoff notices, but would also have boosted the Métis worker salaries to the same level the province’s CFS workers are earning.

“We don’t want to lay off one worker, but we are being forced to,” he said.

Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine urged the federal government to come back to the table to put more money into child welfare.

Fontaine said the provincial government already directs $57 million to the two agencies and will be adding $11.4 million.

“At this stage of the game, Canada has to get back to the table, in respect of funding jurisdiction and funding child welfare, in a good way,” she said.

“Our government is doing our job in ensuring that we are doing what is in the best interest of children who are in care.”

» Winnipeg Free Press