EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ACT

Act

EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ACT (PDF 214KB)

Regulations

Health and Social Housing Regulation (posted Dec. 8, 2009)
Instructional Services Support Regulation (posted April 14, 2011)
Post Secondary Education and Training Assistance (posted Oct. 15, 2009)
Education, Health and Social Development Appeal (posted Oct. 2, 2009)
Effective Day Benefit Eligibility (posted Oct. 2, 2009)
Income and Social Assistance (posted Oct. 2, 2009)

Summary:

Note: The summary below is not a legal document. It should not be relied upon for accuracy and does not in any way replace, supercede, or supplement the Law.

Progressive social services and social programs are fundamental to the well being of Tsawwassen Members now and in the future. This Act sets out the framework by which the Tsawwassen government will provide for this.  The Act is divided into three parts:

1.  Education
This part requires all parents to send their children to school, and guarantees all
children a good quality, free education.  Tsawwassen Government must ensure that such
schooling is available either through contracts or through the operation of schools.
Schooling must be appropriate to language and cultural needs, and include educational
counseling, transportation, and student allowances as needed.  Parents may ask for an
outside review if they feel their child is not getting what is needed.  Support for
post secondary education is guaranteed for all qualifying Tsawwassen Members.
Members may appeal decisions on post secondary funding to an independent review.

2.  Health
After effective day, Tsawwassen will take on responsibilities for all community health programs and services.  A new health plan will be developed and services put into place based on the plan.  TFN will be the first First Nation in Canada, with less than one thousand members, to provide comprehensive community health services, and one of only a handful of all First Nations in Canada to have this level of responsibility.  All of this is set out in the Act.

3.  Social Development
Tsawwassen Members ordinarily resident on Tsawwassen Lands will be eligible for:
(a) income assistance and services intended to meet basic human needs;
(b) financial assistance for those caring for or having custody of Tsawwassen children;
(c) assistance for those with special needs;
(d) non-insured health benefits for recipients of income assistance;
(e) training, education and support services to reduce reliance on income assistance;
(f) local community programs that contribute to physical, emotional and social well-being, including adult in-home care, family violence prevention and children’s programs; and
(g) social housing.

Regulations will set out eligibility criteria. An independent appeal will be established if people don’t feel they have been treated fairly.