Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Comité permanent des affaires autochtones et du Nord

For immediate release

Ottawa, April 26, 2021 -

On 3 December 2020, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in the House of Commons. If adopted, the bill would affirm that the declaration has application in Canadian law and would provide the federal government with a framework for its implementation.

Today, Mr. Bob Bratina, Chair of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, reported the bill to the House of Commons.

From 11 March to 20 April 2021, the committee heard from 47 witnesses and received 49 written briefs as part of its study of the subject matter of the bill. The committee gratefully acknowledges the testimony it received. These contributions helped immensely to guide the committee in its work.

On 22 April 2021, the committee adopted the bill with amendments, following three hours of careful examination. This was a challenging process, and the Chair thanks all members of the committee for their valuable contributions to this important legislative exercise. Ultimately, the committee amended the preamble, clause 4 and clause 6 of the bill.

The report of the committee, containing a detailed list of its amendments, can be viewed online on its website.