Details
- Full Title
- An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation
- First Reading
- June 22, 2022, Parliament 44, Session 1
- Type
- House Government Bill
- Full Content
- https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-29
Summary
The National Council for Reconciliation Act (Bill C-29) establishes a National Council for Reconciliation. This council is designed to be an independent, non-political, permanent, and Indigenous-led organization. Its main goal is to advance reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The Act outlines the council's purpose, which is to promote reconciliation. It also details the council's functions, such as monitoring the government's progress on reconciliation, creating a National Action Plan for Reconciliation, and educating the public about Indigenous issues. The council will monitor government policies and laws affecting Indigenous peoples and recommend ways to improve reconciliation efforts across all levels of government and sectors of Canadian society. The Act also clarifies that the council cannot act on behalf of Indigenous governing bodies and that consultations with the council do not replace the government's duty to consult directly with Indigenous groups.
The bill specifies the composition of the board of directors, ensuring Indigenous representation and diversity. It requires the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations to collaborate with the council to develop a protocol for sharing relevant information. The Act mandates annual reports from both the Minister and the council to track progress and identify areas for improvement. These reports will be made public and tabled in Parliament, with the Prime Minister providing a government response.
Overall, the Act aims to create a lasting framework for reconciliation by establishing an independent body to monitor, evaluate, and promote reconciliation efforts across Canada. It received assent on April 30, 2024.
Issues
Social Justice
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Reconciliation
This Act establishes the National Council for Reconciliation, an organization dedicated to advancing reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. The Council will monitor and report on reconciliation progress across all levels of government and sectors of Canadian society. It will also create a National Action Plan for Reconciliation, promote public education, and stimulate dialogue and partnerships. The Act emphasizes the importance of protecting Indigenous rights and ensuring that reconciliation efforts are consistent with a rights-based approach to self-determination. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations must provide the council with specific data related to Indigenous well-being, including child welfare, education, and health outcomes. The Prime Minister must also respond to the council's annual report with a plan for advancing reconciliation.
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Gender and Sexuality
The Act specifies that the board of directors should, to the extent possible, include representation from gender-diverse persons and equitably reflect gender diversity in its composition.
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Racism
The purpose of the council is to advance reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. The Minister must submit an annual report to the council outlining progress made on eliminating the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in youth custody and reducing the rate of criminal victimization of Indigenous persons.
Security and Defense
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Crime
The Minister must submit an annual report to the council outlining progress made on reducing the rate of criminal victimization of Indigenous persons, including data related to homicide, family violence and other crimes, and reducing the overrepresentation of Indigenous persons in the justice and correctional systems.