We call upon the Parliament of Canada, in consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to enact legislation to establish a National Council for Reconciliation. The legislation would establish the council as an independent, national, oversight body with membership jointly appointed by the Government of Canada and national Aboriginal organizations, and consisting of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members. Its mandate would include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Monitor, evaluate, and report annually to Parliament and the people of Canada on the Government of Canada’s post-apology progress on reconciliation to ensure that government accountability for reconciling the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Crown is maintained in the coming years.
- Monitor, evaluate, and report to Parliament and the people of Canada on reconciliation progress across all levels and sectors of Canadian society, including the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
- Develop and implement a multi-year National Action Plan for Reconciliation, which includes research and policy development, public education programs, and resources.
- Promote public dialogue, public/private partnerships, and public initiatives for reconciliation.
Why “In Progress”?
Nov. 30, 2023: “Bill C-29 National Council for Reconciliation Act” passed third reading in the Senate as amended.
June 22, 2022 – “Bill C-29, National Council for Reconciliation Act” introduced in Parliament. If passed, the Bill tabled today would enable creation of the National Council for Reconciliation to fulfill Call to Action 53.
Jan. 19, 2022: Following their inaugural meeting on December 16, 2021, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is announcing that an Indigenous-led Transitional Committee has been established. The Committee has already begun their work through discussions on the vision for the Council, identified key milestones and timelines, as well as a proposed engagement approach.
The Committee will engage with various groups as well as provinces and territories on the legislative framework for the National Council for Reconciliation, and will provide advice and recommendations to the Minister. The Committee will set up the Council’s first Board of Directors, and establish the Council as an Indigenous-led, non-political organization, working to advance reconciliation. The Transitional Committee members will be responsible for:
- developing the Terms of Reference of the board for the National Council on Reconciliation;
- formally constituting the National Council for Reconciliation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act;
- leading engagements; and
- providing their recommendations on the draft legal framework before tabling in Parliament.
The interim Board appointed by Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada on December 14, 2017 submitted their Final Report on June 12, 2018 with their advice and recommendations on the National Council for Reconciliation and the related endowment fund, fulfilling their six-month mandate.
Budget 2019 allocated a one-time funding commitment of $127M for 2020 – 2021 fiscal year, considerably less than the $1B that the Interim Board recommended.
Current Status
In Progress
Call to Action
last updated
June 22, 2022
Latest Updates
Govt Commitments to NCR
Bill C-29, National Council for Reconciliation Act introduced in Parliament
Crown – Indigenous Relations – Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, introduced Bill C-29, National Council for Reconciliation Act, in Parliament. In their……
June 22, 2022
Timeline for Govt Commitment
Indigenous-led Transitional Committee established to create National Council for Truth and Reconciliation
Following their inaugural meeting on December 16, 2021, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is announcing that an Indigenous-led Transitional Committee has been……
January 19, 2022
Timeline for Govt Commitment
Budget 2019 invests $129.5M to establish National Council for Truth and Reconciliation
Budget 2019 proposes to provide $126.5 million in 2020–21 to establish a National Council for Reconciliation and endow it with initial operating capital. The Council will involve all Canadians……
April 11, 2019
Timeline for Govt Commitment
Submission of Interim Board Final Report
Final report of the Interim Board for the National Council for Reconciliation with detailed recommendations submitted to Carolyn Bennett, Minister Crown – Indigenous Relations and……
June 12, 2018
Final Report of Interim Board
Final Report of the Interim Board for the National Council for Reconciliation
Recommendations: Name: Recommendation: That the future board of directors of the NCR undertake a branding exercise, which may include a different name for the NCR.Vision,……
June 12, 2018
Timeline for Govt Commitment
National Council for Reconciliation Interim board initiates consultative process
Request for input into the consultative process to establish the over-all scope, responsibilities “On behalf of the members of the Interim Board for the National……
April 24, 2018
Timeline for Govt Commitment
Announcement of the Interim Board of Directors
Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, announced the appointment of six members to the Interim Board of Directors for the National Council……
December 14, 2017
Timeline for Govt Commitment
Prime Minister Trudeau commitments on release of TRC Final Report
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the following three commitments: Create bilateral mechanisms with Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Inuit Tapirit Kanatami and the four……
December 15, 2016
CBA Response
Canadian Bar Association
The Canadian Bar Association endorses Call to Action # 53 https://www.cba.org/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?guid=73c612c4-41d6-4a39-b2a6-db9e72b7100d…
March, 2016
Timeline for Govt Commitment
Release fo TRC Final Report
Release of the full report from the TRC. Trudeau government commits to implementation of Calls to Action and UNDRIP as the framework for Nation-to-Nation negotiations…
December 15, 2015