Question Period Note: Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights

• Our government is working to renew nation-to-nation relationships with First Nations peoples based on the affirmation of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.

• We are at over 150 active negotiation tables, with over 500 Indigenous groups and involving over one million Indigenous people, to support Indigenous peoples in realizing their vision of self-determination.

• We are also committed to fully implementing treaties, self-government and other constructive arrangements.

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If Pressed on Reconciliation (63 words)
• Over the last five years, we have advanced reconciliation through rights-based discussion tables, co-development of a new fiscal framework for self-governing Indigenous governments, and legislation on Indigenous languages and Child and Family Services.

• We are working to fully implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and to pass legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Redesign of the Comprehensive Land Claims and Inherent Right Policies (82)
• Since 2015, we have been advancing interest-based discussions and ensuring that co-development is at the core of all negotiations.

• In September 2019, we co-developed the Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia with the First Nations Summit and the British Columbia Government.

• We will continue working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to redesign the Comprehensive Land Claims and Inherent Right policies.

• Work is already underway in collaboration with the Assembly of First Nations on this issue.
If Pressed on The Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia (87)
• In September 2019, the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and the First Nations Summit released the co-developed Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia.

• This rights-based policy will support and enable approaches to the negotiation of treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements between Canada, British Columbia and participating First Nations in British Columbia.

• Where there is interest, Canada is ready to explore the use of the approaches found in the BC policy with negotiation partners elsewhere in the country.

If Pressed on a National Treaty Commissioner’s Office (57)

• Our Government is committed to co-developing a process for the ongoing review, maintenance and enforcement of treaty obligations between the Crown and Indigenous communities.

• As part of this work, we are also committed to designing and establishing a National Treaty Commissioner’s Office.

• Advancing this commitment will involve meaningful engagement and partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis.