Question Period Note: Additions to Reserve and Specific Claims

N.A.

• The history of Canada is built on the legacy of colonization, the displacement of Indigenous Peoples from their homelands, and the dispossession of their lands which they hold sacred.
• Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples started with land, our relationship was broken because of land, and it can only heal by placing land back at the center of reconciliation.
• Land is also an important contributor to building the Indigenous economy. Settling land claims and adding First Nations lands to reserves are important levers to economic prosperity.

Specific Claims
Specific claims deal with past wrongs against First Nations. These claims, made by First Nations against the Government of Canada, relate to the administration of land and other First Nation assets, as well as the fulfilment of historic treaties (pre-1975) and other agreements. Specific claims are addressed through the Specific Claims Policy and the Specific Claims Tribunal Act. The Specific Claims Policy provides a framework for an alternative dispute resolution process that allows Canada to discharge its outstanding legal obligations through negotiated settlement agreements, rather than through litigation, while the Specific Claims Tribunal provides independent adjudication on specific claims.
Additions to Reserves
Land is a vital asset for First Nations, central to governance, socio-economic development, and well-being. Despite its importance, reserve lands represent only 0.37% of Canada’s total land mass. As needs grow, First Nations are increasingly seeking to expand their land base to support housing, infrastructure, and economic development.
Several processes allow for land expansion, including Treaty Land Entitlements, Modern Treaties, land claim settlements, Specific Claims, self-government agreements, and private land purchases. For newly acquired lands to gain reserve status, First Nations must go through the federal Additions to Reserve (ATR) process. However, the current ATR Policy has been widely criticized as slow, complex, and misaligned with First Nations’ governance and priorities
In response, Crown – Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) launched an initiative in 2021 to co-develop a redesigned ATR Policy with First Nations. This has included extensive engagement, technical analysis, and the establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee with representation from key First Nation organizations.
A draft of the redesigned ATR Policy is expected to be shared with First Nation partners in Fall 2025 for feedback, ahead of finalization in Spring 2026 and full implementation in Spring 2027.

Additions to Reserves on Agricultural Lands in British Columbia
British Columbia, like other Canadian provinces, has a land designation that prioritizes agriculture, known as the Agricultural Land Reserve. This designation protects approximately 4.6 million hectares of land across the province for agricultural use. When an Addition to Reserve occurs on lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve, the land becomes federally regulated, and First Nations may use it for non-agricultural purposes, consistent with federal laws and the community’s development needs.

If pressed on Land back
• The Government is committed to advance negotiations, with Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, to address historic issues, including through discussions related to lands. If pressed on Additions to Reserve
• The department remains steadfast in supporting First Nation communities in adding to their land base, so they can build more housing, reduce infrastructure gaps, and strengthen their economic prosperity.
• That is why, over the past decade, 542 Additions to Reserve have been completed, adding over 400,000 acres of land to reserve.
• We have engaged extensively with First Nations to find ways to speed up the Additions to Reserve process, and together with First Nations and stakeholders, we are redesigning the Policy to address First Nations’ concerns and make the process faster and more effective. If pressed on Specific Claims
• Over the last 5 years, 198 specific claims have been resolved, for more than $14 billion in compensation. These settlement agreements include commitments to add up to 453,467 acres of land to reserves throughout the country.
• We will work with First Nations to build on this progress in resolving historic grievances.
• We are committed to continue the vital work of advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through making further progress, restoring trust, strengthening relationships, and
upholding Canada’s constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples. If pressed on Additions to Reserve on protected agricultural lands in British Columbia
• The Government recognizes the importance of agriculture lands across Canada.
• We also recognize that First Nations have urgent land needs to support housing, critical infrastructure, community and economic growth.
• The Additions to Reserve process ensures proposed land conversions are guided by responsible land-use planning and strong environmental stewardship.
• Through the Additions to Reserve process, the Government of Canada is collaborating with the Government of British Columbia to ensure information sharing and support a smooth transition.