Toronto – December 19, 2013 – Former UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley signed a historic Mutual Support Agreement between Canada's best union and First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (FNCFCS) at a recent UFCW Canada National Council meeting in Toronto.

With a reconciliation framework that respectfully engages First Nations and non-Aboriginal peoples, the FNCFCS provides support and promotes the human rights of First Nations communities to empower children, youth, and families. The independent non-profit organization is the only national organization serving Aboriginal children and families in Canada.

"UFCW Canada is honored to partner with the Caring Society in building a better Canada for everyone by ensuring that First Nations children have an equal opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, and be healthy and proud of who they are," says UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema. "Our union has a demonstrated a strong commitment to equality and social justice, and we know that a Canada that works for First Nations children is a Canada that works for everyone,” Brother Meinema adds.

For several years, UFCW Canada has participated in and promoted initiatives such as Jordan’s Principle and Shannen’s Dream in order to support First Nations children's rights and development in Canada.

“By establishing this important partnership with the FNCFCS,UFCW Canada is taking important steps to support Canada's aboriginal peoples, who comprise one of the fastest-growing and most marginalized groups in the country,” says President Meinema.