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Indigenous Affairs

During oral questions on Indigenous Affairs, members debated remarks about the future of the Indian Act following a first ministers’ meeting. The Conservatives said First Nations wanted the meeting to focus on economic partnership, land, and treaty rights, and asked why the Prime Minister instead raised the idea of ending the Indian Act; they also raised concerns about the handling of Bill S-2, which amends the Indian Act’s registration rules, including allegations that elders were asked to sign five-year confidentiality agreements, and about delays in other promised legislation. The Liberals said the Indian Act has caused lasting harm through racism and discrimination, and that any process to move beyond it must be First Nations-led and co-developed with rights holders, respecting their treaties, laws, and governance structures.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Ginette Lavack

Liberal
“The Indian Act has caused lasting harm through racism and discrimination. Our focus is on building a stronger nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations based on respect for their laws and rights.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Indian Act has a long and harmful legacy of colonization, racism and discrimination, with lasting impacts on first nation individuals, families and communities. The discussions underscore the importance of continuing to strengthen the relationship between Canada and first nations, one that is grounded in respect for first nations’ self-determination, laws and inherent rights. Fundamentally, our focus remains on how our relationship can be strengthened with first nations on a nation-to-nation basis.

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Ginette Lavack

Liberal
“Any plan to move past the Indian Act must be led by First Nations. We must work with them as partners and respect their rights, treaties, and decisions about their own future.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, to be clear, any process about how we move beyond the Indian Act must be first nations-led. It has to be co-developed with rights holders. First nations are diverse. They have distinct histories, they have treaties and they have governance structures that we have to respect. Their voices have to guide this process and decisions about what comes next. We are committed to working in partnership with first nations to chart a path forward together that respects their rights, reflects the priorities they bring forward and supports their self-determination.

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