Question Period Note: Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation

N.A.

• The Government is committed to fully realizing and upholding all Modern Treaty commitments.
• Indigenous Modern Treaty partners have called for an independent oversight body to hold the federal government accountable to Parliament. These calls have been supported by others, including the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples in 2008.
• On September 25, 2025, I introduced Bill C-10, establishing the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation to strengthen implementation measures, identify barriers, and prevent costly disputes.
• Co-developed with Indigenous partners, this office ensures Canada delivers on its constitutional commitments.

For over 20 years, Indigenous Modern Treaty partners have been calling for an independent oversight mechanism to hold the federal government accountable for Modern Treaty implementation. Indigenous Modern Treaty partners have not realized the promises of these agreements, which are intended to support stable, thriving cultures and economic prosperity by achieving equitable levels of material well-being. Issues with the federal approach have been backed up by independent reports and internal evaluations over the years – including by the Auditor General, the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, and the report by Ministerial Special Representative Douglas Eyford.
In February 2023, Canada and Indigenous Modern Treaty partners jointly announced Canada’s Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy. The co-developed Policy includes a commitment to co-develop, within six months, options for an independent oversight body for Modern Treaty implementation, that was to be credible, effective, sustainable, and equipped to hold the federal government accountable to Parliament. This commitment led to intensive co-development with Indigenous Modern Treaty Partners, extensive engagements throughout the federal system, the announcement of the Government’s intention to proceed with the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation, and national engagement on a draft legislative proposal.
On October 10, 2024, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations introduced Bill C-77, An Act Respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation. However, the Bill died on the Order Paper with the prorogation of Parliament on January 6, 2025. Since prorogation, Indigenous Modern Treaty partners have advocated for the reintroduction and passage of the Bill. Indigenous Modern Treaty partner leadership also named the establishment of the Commissioner as a top priority during the Land Claims Agreement Coalition conference held in February 2025.
On September 25, 2025, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations introduced Bill C-10, An Act Respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation. This Bill is identical to the previous Bill C-77.

If pressed on the impact of the Commissioner
• The Commissioner will strengthen relationships between Canada and Indigenous Modern Treaty partners - building the trust needed for effective collaboration and reconciliation.
• Their findings will carry real weight - ensuring federal departments are held accountable to Parliament for their Modern Treaty implementation activities.
• The Commissioner will help ensure that Canada meets both the spirit and intent of its constitutional modern treaty commitments - advancing reconciliation, improving governance, and, most importantly, helping improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous peoples.