Ottawa

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Romeo Saganash’s bill on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People is here. For all intents and purposes, it amounts to two clauses, but the implications of those clauses open a large debate.

The Government of Canada must take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations as General Assembly Resolution 61/295 on September 13, 2007 and that is set out in the schedule to this Act.

At the end of the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2013, and at the end of each of the next four fiscal years, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development must prepare a report reviewing the progress made by the Government of Canada in ensuring that the laws of Canada are consistent with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples during that fiscal year, and must cause the report to be laid before each House of Parliament within 60 days after the end of that fiscal year or, if that House is not then sitting, on any of the first 15 days next thereafter that the House is sitting.

Mr. Saganash was involved in the drafting of the UN Declaration.

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.