Question Period Note: Indigenous Reconciliation

Indigenous people and communities have expressed concerns about major natural resource 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.

• Canada has strengthened its approach to meaningful consultation, acknowledging the importance of partnerships when it comes to developing major natural resource projects in Canada.
• Working with Indigenous peoples to find solutions will lead to better economic, social and environmental outcomes.
• Canada has moved away from developing solutions for Indigenous communities to collaborating and partnering with them.
• We are committed to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through a renewed, nation-to-nation, government-to-government and Inuit–Crown relationship that is based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.
If pressed on the Bill C-69:
• Bill C-69 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.
• As a result of this bill, the Canada Energy Regulator will also ensure more inclusive engagement and greater Indigenous participation in project decisions.
• As part of its commitment to advance reconciliation, the Canada Energy Regulator established an Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) in August, to enhance involvement of Indigenous communities in CER-regulated projects.
If pressed on UNDRIP Legislation:
• Together with Indigenous peoples, we are committed to establishing a relationship based on the affirmation of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. That is why we are committed to introducing legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the end of 2020.
• Our new bill will establish a collaborative path forward that will help build relationships and greater predictability over time.
• Free, prior and informed consent is both a foundational principle of the Declaration and a roadmap for building relationships and consensus as parties work together in good faith and create a climate of confidence in decisions impacting on Indigenous rights and interests.
• It is about making every effort towards establishing mutually acceptable arrangements, building consensus, and working together.
• We are committed to working in partnership with Indigenous Canadians to implement this important legislation.

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