OTTAWA,
ON, UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TRADITIONAL TERRITORY,
April 30,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, Bill C-29, which provides for the
establishment of the National Council for Reconciliation (the
Council), received Royal Assent and officially became Canadian
law.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which heard testimony
and took direction from Survivors to draft the Calls to Action,
envisioned an Indigenous-led, independent, and permanent Council to
ensure long-term progress on reconciliation in Canada. Call to Action 53 called on the
federal government to enact legislation to establish the Council.
Bill C-29 is a direct response to this Call to Action and also lays
the foundation to address Calls to Action 54, 55, and 56.
The Council, which will be representative of the diversity of
Indigenous Peoples in Canada and
supported by nominations from the National Indigenous
Organizations, will monitor, evaluate, and report on efforts to
advance reconciliation and implement the Calls to Action. The Bill
provides a framework for activities of the Council, including the
development of a multi-year action plan to advance reconciliation,
monitoring the policies, programs, and laws of the Government of
Canada affecting Indigenous
Peoples, and advocating for reconciliation in all sectors of
Canadian society. The Council will produce an annual report on the
progress being made toward reconciliation across all levels of
government and sectors of Canadian society. This report must be
tabled in both the House of Commons and the Senate, and the Prime
Minister must provide a response as per Call to Action 56.
Discussions throughout the parliamentary process—which included
testimony from Survivors and Indigenous organizations—strengthened
the legislation by considering the distinct perspectives of First
Nations, Inuit and Métis while also respecting the vision for the
Council as expressed by Survivors through the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission.
The Government of Canada is
fully committed to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission's Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which together provide us with a
roadmap to reconciliation.
Quote
"The National Council for Reconciliation will hold our feet to
the fire as we continue to walk the path of reconciliation in this
country. The road ahead requires hard work from all levels of
government, businesses, civil society, and more. Many voices have
strengthened this legislation, and I thank them for their
contributions. More to do."
The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
"It is an honour and a privilege to participate, along with my
colleagues on the Transition Committee and members of the
government, in the creation of the National Reconciliation Council.
This milestone marks a great moment in the history of relations
between our peoples and is a pledge of hope for the future."
Edith Cloutier C.M., C.Q.
Transitional Committee member
"In light of this momentous occasion, I am grateful to my fellow
committee members, our partners at the federal government, and all
those who committed time and energy for the creation of the new
National Council for Reconciliation."
Mike DeGagne, C.M.
Transitional Committee member
Quick facts
- The legislation responds directly to the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, specifically:
- Call to Action 53—Call upon the Parliament of Canada, in consultation and collaboration with
Aboriginal Peoples, to enact legislation to establish a National
Council for Reconciliation.
- Call to Action 54—Call upon the Government of Canada to provide multi-year funding for the
National Council for Reconciliation, including the endowment of a
National Reconciliation Trust.
- Call to Action 55—Call upon all levels of government to provide
annual reports or any current data requested by the National
Council for Reconciliation so that it can report on the progress
toward reconciliation.
- Call to Action 56—Call upon the Prime Minister of Canada to formally respond to the report of
the National Council for Reconciliation by issuing an annual "State
of Aboriginal Peoples" report.
- Since December 2021, the Interim
Board and then the Transitional Committee of the Council have
provided important leadership to advance the vision for the Council
expressed by Survivors. The testimony from Survivors and Indigenous
organizations to Parliamentary Committees has led to legislation
that will enable the Council to take a central role in facilitating
dialogue, holding governments accountable, and advancing
reconciliation.
- The Transitional Committee will now lead work to establish the
first Board of the Council, and then formally constitute the
Council under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
Members of the Transitional Committee are Dr. Mike DeGagné, Édith
Cloutier, Rosemary Cooper, and
Mitch Case. Former Truth and
Reconciliation Commissioner Wilton
Littlechild was previously a member of the Transitional
Committee.
Associated links
Bill C-29: An Act to provide for the establishment of a national
council for reconciliation
Government introduces legislation to establish National Council
for Reconciliation
Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to
Action
Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada:
X: @GCIndigenous
Facebook: @GCIndigenous
Instagram: @gcindigenous
You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via
RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit
www.cirnac.gc.ca/RSS.
SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Canada