The count of children in Manitoba’s care system has risen for the first time in several years, with Indigenous youth outnumbering non-Indigenous children by a significant margin of nine to one. According to the latest annual Department of Families report, there were 9,172 youth in care during the 2024-25 period, an increase from 8,919 in the previous year.
Manitoba’s advocate for children and youth, Sherry Gott, expressed concern over the persistently high number of children in care, particularly highlighting the disproportionate impact on Indigenous children. The report indicated a nearly three per cent rise, with 253 more children in Child and Family Services (CFS) care compared to the previous year, marking the first notable increase since 2016-17.
As of March, the report revealed that 91 per cent of youth in care were Indigenous, a higher percentage than a decade ago when Indigenous youth constituted 87 per cent of the total youth in care. Despite efforts to decolonize the child welfare system, Gott emphasized that the current outcomes maintain the status quo, reflecting enduring inequities.
Following amendments to the Child and Family Service Act in 2023, aimed at reducing the number of Indigenous children in care and enhancing cultural community ties, the report highlighted the introduction of kinship or customary care agreements in the provincial system. These agreements prioritize placing children with family or kin over traditional CFS systems, with parents retaining guardianship rights and actively participating in the planning process.
While the overall trend shows a decrease in the number of children in CFS care, fluctuations persist due to specific family or community circumstances. The report also introduced a distinction between family placements and other types of care settings, such as foster homes, emphasizing the importance of regular visits and check-ins to ensure the well-being of children in care.
Concerns were raised regarding licensing requirements for fostering, with a noted decrease in licensed foster homes and an increase in non-pay care living arrangements. These arrangements, often involving complex health conditions, pose challenges for foster parents and highlight the need for enhanced support systems within the child welfare framework.
Advocates emphasized the importance of prioritizing kinship and customary care arrangements while addressing oversight issues and ensuring adequate support for caregivers facing unique challenges. Building capacity and promoting supportive environments for children in care emerged as critical priorities for enhancing the well-being of vulnerable youth in the child welfare system.