Issue
Indigenous Rights
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights, and the federal Crown's duty to consult (Haida Nation v. British Columbia, 2004) governs Crown conduct that may adversely affect those rights. The 2021 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Bill C-15, 43-2) requires Canada to take measures to ensure federal law is consistent with UNDRIP; the federal action plan was published in June 2023. Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 53 to 56 led to the National Council for Reconciliation Act (Bill C-29 of 44-1, royal assent November 27, 2024). Bill C-77 (Modern Treaty Implementation Commissioner) was tabled in November 2024 but lapsed. Major 2024 development: Bill S-16, the Haida Nation Recognition Act, the most extensive federal legislative recognition of Aboriginal title in Canadian history.
Where parties stand
Compare side-by-side- BC New Democratic PartyBC NDP
The BC NDP under Premier David Eby passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (S.B.C. 2019, c. 44, the first provincial statute in Canada to align provincial law with UNDRIP), entered into the Haida Nation Recognition Agreement (May 2024, ratified by S.B.C. 2024, recognizing the Haida Nation's Aboriginal title to Haida Gwaii without litigation), supports the Wet'suwet'en hereditary-chiefs' position on the Coastal GasLink pipeline corridor, and committed to the BC First Nations Justice Strategy renewal in 2024. Maintains the BC Treaty Process while critics argue it has produced limited results in 30 years.
Source - Bloc QuébécoisBLOC
The Bloc Quebecois supports the full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (S.C. 2021, c. 14) with Quebec administrative autonomy over its 11 First Nations and the Inuit Nation of Nunavik (under the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement). Defends the 1985 Quebec National Assembly's unanimous recognition of the 11 Indigenous nations of Quebec, supports the federal government's response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action with reporting on Quebec-specific progress, and pushes for federal-provincial-Indigenous tripartite governance models on Indigenous services in Quebec.
Source - Conservative Party of CanadaCONSERVATIVE
The federal Conservative Party under Pierre Poilievre supports continued implementation of the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action with concrete delivery rather than rhetoric, the Specific Claims Tribunal expansion to clear the backlog of over 200 pending Indigenous land-claim files, the First Nations Property Ownership initiative giving First Nations the option to convert reserve land to private fee-simple ownership (long-standing Conservative position not yet legislated), expansion of resource-revenue sharing with First Nations under the federal Indigenous Resource Sharing framework, and faster Specific Claims compensation timelines.
Source The federal Green Party supports full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (S.C. 2021, c. 14), free-prior-and-informed-consent (FPIC) as a binding statutory requirement for natural-resource projects on Indigenous traditional territories, full implementation of all 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action (federal government tracking by 2024 marks 13 as fully implemented out of 94), permanent end to long-term boil-water advisories on First Nations reserves (Indigenous Services Canada had 28 active long-term advisories as of January 2025), and reformation of the Indian Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. I-5) toward self-government by community choice.
Source- Liberal Party of CanadaLIBERAL
Continues implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Has funded clean drinking water investments and Indigenous-led child welfare.
Source The federal NDP under Jagmeet Singh supports binding implementation timelines for all 94 TRC Calls to Action (the Yellowhead Institute's annual progress report has tracked under 14 percent fully implemented in eight years), legislated end to Indigenous boil-water advisories with a fixed federal deadline (the Trudeau government missed its 2021 commitment; 28 advisories remained active January 2025), full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (S.C. 2021, c. 14) with binding consultation thresholds, federal funding parity for on-reserve K-12 education with provincial systems (currently 30 to 50 percent underfunded per Auditor General reports), and self-government recognition through binding modern-treaty frameworks.
Source
Bills affecting this issue
- Bill 31Provincial43rd Legislature of British ColumbiaIn committee
Indigenous Self-Government Land Title Act
Recognizes Indigenous title to specific BC lands by statute. Largest legislative implementation of DRIPA since 2019.
- Bill 22Provincial43rd Legislature of ManitobaSecond reading
Northern Healthcare Access Act
Sets new healthcare access standards for Northern Manitoba including travel-cost coverage for patients flown south.
- Bill 30Territorial20th Northwest Territories Legislative AssemblyThird reading
Indigenous Languages Act (NWT)
NWT Indigenous Languages Act.
- Bill 155Provincial30th Legislature of SaskatchewanIn committee
Saskatchewan First Nations Justice Strategy Act
Saskatchewan First Nations Justice Strategy: court diversion, Gladue-report support, re-entry services.
- S-225Federal45-1Third reading
An Act to establish National Thanadelthur Day
Designates a National Thanadelthur Day.
- Bill 33Provincial44th Parliament of OntarioIn committee
Supporting Children's Futures Act
Restructures Ontario's child welfare system. Expands kin-care and customary-care placements.
- Bill 160Provincial30th Legislature of SaskatchewanFirst reading
Saskatchewan Public Inquiry into Police-Death-in-Custody Act
SK NDP-tabled bill creating a standing public inquiry into deaths in police custody, a long-standing Indigenous-justice ask.
- C-27Federal45-1First reading
An Act to give effect to the Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tlegohli Got’ine and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
Tlegohli Got'ine self-government agreement.
- S-245Federal45-1First reading
An Act respecting a National Blanket Ceremony Day
Designates a National Blanket Ceremony Day to honour Indigenous ceremonial blanket traditions.
- S-241Federal45-1In committee
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act
Criminal Code + Indian Act amendments on First Nations hunting and fishing.
- S-2Federal45-1In committee
An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements)
Indian Act new registration entitlements (45-1).
- C-21Federal45-1Second reading
An Act to give effect to the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Act.
- C-10Federal45-1Report stage
An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation
Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation re-tabling.
- C-254Federal45-1First reading
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of hatred against Indigenous peoples)
Adds Criminal Code provisions on hate propaganda against Indigenous peoples.
- Bill 5Provincial44th Parliament of OntarioRoyal assent
Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act
Speeds up provincial approvals for major mining and infrastructure projects in Ontario's Ring of Fire. First Nations have challenged it in court.
- S-16Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act respecting the recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation
Recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation.
- S-274Federal44-1In committee
An Act to establish National Thanadelthur Day
Designates a National Thanadelthur Day for the Chipewyan peacemaker and interpreter from the 1700s.
- C-77Federal44-1First reading
An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation
Creates an independent Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation to monitor federal compliance with modern Indigenous treaties.
- C-413Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of hatred against Indigenous peoples)
Adds Criminal Code offence for promoting hatred against Indigenous peoples, including residential school denialism.
- C-61Federal44-1In committee
An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands
Creates a binding federal framework for clean water on First Nations land after the Liidlii Kue and Tataskweyak class actions. Stalled before final passage.
- S-282Federal44-1In committee
An Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada
National strategy for children and youth includes dedicated Indigenous priorities.
- S-268Federal44-1In committee
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act
Criminal Code + Indian Act on First Nations hunting jurisdiction.
- C-29Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation
Implements TRC Calls to Action 53-56. Creates an independent national Council to monitor and report on reconciliation progress.
- C-273Federal44-1Third reading
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Corinne’s Quest and the protection of children)
Implements TRC Call to Action 6 by repealing the section 43 'reasonable force' defence.
- C-51Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to give effect to the self-government treaty recognizing the Whitecap Dakota Nation / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
Implements the Whitecap Dakota / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate self-government treaty in federal law.
- C-9Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to amend the Judges Act
Self-government framework agreement implementing First Nations jurisdiction over child welfare and other matters.
- C-53Federal44-1In committee
An Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, to give effect to treaties with those governments and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
Recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan.
- C-45Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to amend the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts, and to make a clarification relating to another Act
Updates the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, expanding the powers and reach of First Nations financial institutions.
- S-251Federal44-1In committee
An Act to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 6)
Senate companion to C-273. Implements TRC Call to Action 6 by repealing section 43 of the Criminal Code.
- C-338Federal44-1First reading
National Indigenous Teachers Day Act
National Indigenous Teachers Day.
- S-262Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Oath of Citizenship)
Oath of Citizenship including Indigenous rights (TRC CTA 94).
- S-219Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act respecting a National Ribbon Skirt Day
National Ribbon Skirt Day.
- C-38Federal44-1Second reading
An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements)
Restores Indian status to specific categories of women and descendants previously excluded by the Indian Act.
- S-10Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to give effect to the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, to amend the Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act and the Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts
Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement implementation.
- C-297Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (Indigenous languages)
Expands the use of Indigenous languages in federal elections.
- S-216Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (use of resources of a registered charity)
Lets registered charities transfer resources to non-qualified Indigenous-led non-profits without losing charitable status.