3rd Session, 42nd Legislature

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Bill 223

THE SPIRIT BEAR DAY ACT

(Assented to                                         )

WHEREAS Jordan River Anderson, a First Nations child who had complex medical needs, lived his entire life in a hospital because the government of Manitoba and the government of Canada could not agree on which jurisdiction was responsible for his in-home health care costs;

AND WHEREAS Jordan River Anderson's tragic death led to the development of Jordan's Principle, a policy intended to prevent First Nations children from being denied prompt and equal access to government services because of jurisdictional disputes between different levels of government;

AND WHEREAS the proper implementation of Jordan's Principle has been found to uphold the human rights of First Nations children;

AND WHEREAS a teddy bear called Spirit Bear has become symbolic of Jordan's Principle;

AND WHEREAS observing Spirit Bear Day will help create awareness of Jordan's Principle and the challenges faced by First Nations children when accessing government services;

THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

Spirit Bear Day

1

In each year, May 10 is to be known throughout Manitoba as Spirit Bear Day.

C.C.S.M. reference

2

This Act may be referred to as chapter S194 of the Continuing Consolidation of the Statutes of Manitoba.

Coming into force

3

This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.