A Virtual dialogue on Bill C-15 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Bill C-15 is a proposed federal law setting out a framework to advance implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. It was tabled for 1st Reading in the House of Commons on December 3, 2020.
Bill C-15 is closely modelled on Bill C-262, Romeo Saganash’s private Member’s bill from the 2018-2019 session of Parliament. Bill C-262 was widely supported by First Nations and was supported by AFN Resolution 97-2017. Bill C-262 was passed by the House of Commons in 2018. However, stalling in the Senate prevented Bill C-262 becoming law before that session of Parliament ended. Resolution 86-2019 was subsequently passed by the Chiefs-in-Assembly calling for a government bill as strong or stronger than Bill C-262.
Following the 2020 Virtual Annual General Assembly the AFN Executive Committee decided to respond to calls from First Nations leadership for further opportunity to dialogue on Bill C-15. The format of the National Forum will be two half-day sessions with ample time for First Nations leadership to dialogue and discuss Bill C-15.
