Actions and Commitments: Call to Action # 42
Exploring Stakeholder: "Government of Canada"
Updates on this page: 29
November 29, 2024
Indigenous Bar Association Applauds Royal Assent of Bill S-13, An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act
The Indigenous Bar Association (IBA) celebrates the Royal Assent of Bill S-13, An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act. This historic legislation marks a significant step forward in recognizing and affirming the unique role of Indigenous languages, perspectives, and legal orders within the Canadian legal framework. This marks a historic milestone in Canada’s journey towards...
November 27, 2024
Statement by Minister Virani on the passing of Bill S-13 and strengthening Aboriginal and treaty rights by amending the Interpretation Act
NationTalk: Department of Justice Canada — Ottawa, Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Department of Justice Canada Today, the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, issued the following statement to mark the Royal Assent of Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other...
July 26, 2024
Billions in compensation expected after Supreme Court rules Crown made a ‘mockery’ of treaty
Anishinaabe man and boy in canoe harvesting manoomin (wild rice) in 1919. Photo via Library and Archives Canada/R. F. Waugh collection/e011369233-017 Listen to article Canada’s National Observer: In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Canada found Canada and Ontario made a “mockery” of a treaty promise made in 1850 to the Anishinaabe of the Great...
November 1, 2023
‘Beat them at their own game’: Indigenous Justice Centres aim to dismantle colonial law
Jaime McKinley, office administrator of the Chilliwack Indigenous Justice Centre. Photo by BC First Nations Justice Council Listen to article Canada’s National Observer: It wasn’t until Amanda Carling, a Métis from Red River, sat down in her law class at the University of Toronto that she realized the racist underpinnings of the profession she’d entered. “Not...
June 8, 2023
Taking action to ensure all federal laws uphold Aboriginal and treaty rights
NationTalk: Department of Justice Canada– The recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples affirmed in Canada’s Constitution is a fundamental element of Crown-Indigenous relationships. The Government of Canada is committed to respecting and upholding the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis as part of building stronger nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships. Today, the Minister...
January 13, 2023
Ottawa laying groundwork for Indigenous justice systems, says Lametti
Indigenous people make up 32 per cent of federal prison population CBC News: Justice Minister David Lametti says Ottawa is building a foundation to allow Indigenous legal systems to flourish alongside the Canadian justice system. Lametti made the comment Thursday at the new Indigenous Peoples Space on Parliament Hill, where he announced $1.5 million in federal...
November 28, 2022
Trudeau commits $62.5M to Indigenous safety, healing projects in James Smith Cree Nation
Global News: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will invest over $20 million toward Indigenous-led community safety projects in First Nations across the country, while promising continued work toward making Indigenous policing an essential service in Canada. The money is part of $62.5 million in federal funding Trudeau announced Monday while visiting James...
November 8, 2022
Indigenous policing program to expand to Nunavut
First Peoples’ Law Report: Nunatsiaq News: A federal program that is supposed to support Indigenous-led approaches to public safety will expand to Nunavut over the next three years, the territory’s justice minister announced Tuesday. The Government of Nunavut and the federal government have signed an agreement in principle to bring the First Nations and Inuit...
September 23, 2022
Siksika Nation to take over policing from RCMP
NationTalk: The Siksika Nation and the governments of Alberta and Canada have reached a deal allowing the nation to take over policing responsibilities from the RCMP, creating Canada’s first self-administered First Nation police service in 14 years. In July 2022, Alberta and Siksika Nation signed a memorandum of understanding to work towards establishing a self-administered...
September 21, 2022
Ottawa aims to table legislation this fall making Indigenous policing essential
SOOTODAY.COM: OTTAWA — Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is promising to “work around the clock” to table legislation this fall that would declare Indigenous policing an essential service. Doing so would fulfil a commitment Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made years ago to First Nations leaders. Lennard Busch, the executive director of the First Nations Chiefs...
January 20, 2022
BC First Nations Justice Strategy
Department of Justice Canada – Announced of the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) between BC, Canada and BC First Nations Justice Council to support the implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy, as well as funding to support Indigenous Justice Centres in British Columbia. The parties have committed to work together...
August 12, 2021
Gitanyow Governance Accord
The Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs (Nation/Huwilp) and the government of BC and Canada have signed the Gitanyow Governance Accord. The accord provides a path forward in the B.C. Treaty process toward full self-government. Led by the restored Gitanyow hereditary governance system....
December 9, 2020
Funding to AFN to develop framework an plan for First Nations policing
Public Safety Canada – Government of Canada is funding up to $1.5M to the AFN “to support the AFN to engage in initial dialogue and launch discussions recognizing the AFN as an important partner in First Nations policing reforms, and to lay the groundwork for a framework and plan to begin discussions towards co-developing legislation which...
December 5, 2020
Administration of Justice Agreements
The 2020 Fall Economic Statement included $8.1 million to develop Administration of Justice Agreements with Indigenous communities to strengthen community-based justice systems and support self-determination...
August 24, 2020
SSHRC funding to Rebuilding First Nations Governance project
Social Science and Humanities Research Council is funding $2.5 million over 6 years to support Rebuilding First Nations Governance (RFNG) project, an investigation into transforming Indian Act governance. RFNG is an alliance of First Nations communities and tribal councils and academic researchers and practitioners committed to working from the community level up to end Indian...
August 17, 2020
Rebuilding First Nations Governance project
Carleton University – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council is funding $2.5 million over six years to support the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project, an investigation into transforming Indian Act governance. Carleton University researcher Frances Abele in the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) and project co-founders Satsan (Herb George) of the Centre for First...
May 14, 2020
Wet’suwet’en Hereditary chiefs sign a Memorandum of Understanding
Hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en Nation have signed a memorandum of understanding with B.C. and Canada that sets the path for negotiations on legal recognition of their title to 22,000 square kilometres of traditional territory. Effective immediately, the MOU commits Canada and B.C. to recognize that rights and title are held by house groups within the Wet’suwet’en...
May 12, 2020
Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs to sign MOU with governments of Canada and BC
Wet’suwet’en leaders have invited Ms. Bennett and Mr. Fraser to sign the MOU on May 14. Wetsu’wet’en Hereditary Chiefs issued a statement: “The Dinï’ze and Tsakë’ze have had several clan meetings, including meetings in person, and virtual meetings with clan/house members, band council members, youth, elders, people close to home and those far away. The...
May 12, 2020
Wet’suwet’en hereditary Chiefs and Canada to sign an MOU
Wet’suwet’en leaders have invited Ms. Bennett and Mr. Fraser to sign the MOU on May 14. Wetsu’wet’en Hereditary Chiefs issued a statement: “The Dinï’ze and Tsakë’ze have had several clan meetings, including meetings in person, and virtual meetings with clan/house members, band council members, youth, elders, people close to home and those far away. The...
April 30, 2020
Commitment to Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982
We are taking a meaningful approach to section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. This work flows from Canada’s constitutional and legal frameworks and represents a first step in building a nation-to-nation relationship that recognizes and implements Indigenous systems of justice.” The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., M.P. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada...
April 5, 2019
Canada and Red Earth Cree Nation sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The Government of Canada and Red Earth Cree Nation announced they have signed a co-developed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance discussions toward developing a stand-alone administration of justice agreement. This MOU on Advancing Reconciliation will guide future exploratory discussions on the administration of justice needs and aspirations of Red Earth Cree Nation. An administration...
March 20, 2019
Funding for national centre of excellence for the study and understanding of Indigenous laws at UVic
The federal government announced in Budget 2019, $9.1 million over 3 years for a national centre of excellence for the study and understanding of Indigenous laws that will house the world’s first joint degree in Indigenous legal orders and Canadian common law (JD/JID). Starting in 2019/20, the funds will support the construction of “an Indigenous Legal...
December 13, 2018
AFN-QL recommendations to the Viens Commission
During his testimony to the Viens Commission, the Chief of the AFNQL recalled the three main issues that Quebec has repeatedly been asked to act upon, namely: To recognize, denounce and fight against the systemic racism that exists within its institutions and population. To repair the wrongs suffered by the victims, especially First Nations victims....
November 15, 2018
Investments in policing facilities in First Nations and Inuit communities
The Government of Canada is investing $88.6 million over seven years in policing facilities in First Nation and Inuit communities to ensure that police officers serving these communities work in safe facilities. Recognizing there are pressing needs in terms of policing infrastructure in First Nation and Inuit communities, a new federal program, Funding for First Nation...
March 26, 2018
Commissioner Viens supports extension to tripartite negotiation deadline
Commissioner Viens of the “Public Inquiry Commission on Relations Between Indigenous Peoples and Certain Public Services in Quebec” issued a 3rd Call to Action to postpone the March 31st, 2018 tripartite negotiation deadline with every Aboriginal police force to a reasonable delay that could go up to one year while maintaining the upgraded funding. This delay...
March 26, 2018
AFN-QL seeks extension to tri-partite negiatiation process around FN police force
Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Québec (Viens Commission) attests that changes need to be made in light of the public safety state of emergency in First Nations communities. The Assembly of first Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) recommends, among other things, that First Nations wishing to extend their tripartite...
January 11, 2018
AFN response to Government of Canada’s First Nations Policing Program
Assembly of First Nations OTTAWA—Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says last week’s announcement on federal support for the First Nations Policing Program (FNPP) is necessary and critical to ensure safety and security for First Nations and First Nations police forces and police officers. AFN BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee, who holds...
January 10, 2018
Investments in policing in First Nations and Inuit communities
Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced a federal investment of up to $291.2 million over five years, starting in 2018–2019, for policing in First Nation and Inuit communities. This funding will be dedicated to communities currently served under the First Nations Policing Program (FNPP). For the first time, the federal...
November 20, 2017
Public Safety Minister meetings on First Nations policing
First Nations policing was a substantive topic for discussions with Public Safety Minister Goodale. Many participants spoke strongly of the need to strengthen and expand the programs to put them at par with other police services in the country in terms of salaries, equipment, technology and resources, and to recognize them as an essential service....
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