Question Period Note: Indigenous Reconciliation

• Canada has strengthened its approach to meaningful consultation, acknowledging that partnerships must happen when it comes to developing major projects in Canada.
• The government knows that working with Indigenous peoples to find solutions will lead to better economic, social and environmental outcomes.
• The new Impact Assessment Act, shows Canada’s commitment to engaging with Indigenous groups early in project development, throughout the review process and ensuring their Indigenous knowledge is considered prior to making decisions on major projects.
• The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada administers the Funding Programs, which can support Indigenous groups interested in participating in federal impact assessments and other Agency engagement initiatives and activities.
• Canada has moved away from developing solutions for Indigenous communities to collaborating and parternering with them.
• We are committed to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through a renewed, nation-to-nation, government-to-government and Inuit–Crown relationship based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.

Indigenous people and communities have expressed concerns about major projects, including their ability to participate in assessment and regulatory processes, and contribute to the mitigation of potential impacts on their Aboriginal and treaty rights.

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