Question Period Note: Desautel

• The Government of Canada is committed to renewing the relationship with Indigenous peoples based on affirmation of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.
• On April 23, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in the Desautel case. The Court ruled that non-resident or non-citizen Indigenous individuals from communities outside Canada may be able to exercise Indigenous rights here.
• We are currently determining how to implement the Court decision while ensuring the rights and interests of Indigenous groups are respected.

N/A

If pressed on discussions with the Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik on recognizing U.S.-based communities
• The Government of Canada will implement the decision in a way that is consistent with a rights-based approach, direction from the courts, and in collaboration with our Indigenous partners.
If pressed on the recognition of Sinixt descendants in Canada (i.e. the ‘Autonomous Sinixt’ or descendants of the Arrow Lakes Band)
• The Government of Canada will implement this decision in a way that is consistent with a rights-based approach, direction from the courts, and in collaboration with our Indigenous partners.