Bill C-15 (Historical)

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

David Lametti Liberal

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.

This enactment provides that the Government of Canada must take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and must prepare and implement an action plan to achieve the objectives of the Declaration.

Similar bills

C-262 (42nd Parliament, 1st session) United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

C-641 (41st Parliament, 2nd session) United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

C-469 (41st Parliament, 2nd session) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

C-469 (41st Parliament, 1st session) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

C-328 (40th Parliament, 3rd session) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

C-328 (40th Parliament, 2nd session) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

C-569 (39th Parliament, 2nd session) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-15s:

C-15 (2022) Law Appropriation Act No. 5, 2021-22

C-15 (2020) Law Canada Emergency Student Benefit Act

C-15 (2016) Law Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1.

C-15 (2013) Law Northwest Territories Devolution Act

Votes

May 25, 2021 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

May 14, 2021 Passed Time allocation for Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

April 19, 2021 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

April 15, 2021 Passed Time allocation for Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-15 aims to align Canadian laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, requiring the government to develop an action plan in consultation with Indigenous peoples and report on progress.

Liberal

Establish legislative framework: The bill creates a durable legislative framework requiring the federal government to work collaboratively with Indigenous peoples to implement the declaration through an action plan and annual reporting.
Advance reconciliation: The legislation is seen as a crucial step in the generational struggle of Indigenous peoples, turning a page on colonial narratives and advancing reconciliation based on the declaration.
Define consent: "Free, prior and informed consent" refers to the importance of meaningful participation by Indigenous peoples in decisions affecting their rights and communities; it does not constitute veto power.
Foster economic partnerships: Giving First Nations a say fosters trust, increases confidence, and creates opportunities for economic growth through partnerships, particularly in resource development, benefiting all Canadians.

Conservative

Supports undrip as aspirational: Conservatives support the goals and aspirations of UNDRIP but view it as an aspirational document, not binding law, due to concerns about implementation.
Lack of clarity on consent: A key concern is the undefined term "free, prior and informed consent," fearing it could be interpreted as a de facto veto and create uncertainty.
Insufficient consultation: The government failed to adequately consult with provinces, territories, and indigenous partners, rushing the process and ignoring significant concerns about the bill's impact.
Risks economic development: Uncertainty around the bill, particularly free, prior and informed consent, risks deterring investment and negatively impacting indigenous communities relying on resource development for jobs and revenue.

NDP

Supports bill C-15: The NDP supports Bill C-15, seeing it as a critical step toward confirming the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canadian law and replacing the Indian Act.
Based on NDP bill: The bill is based on former NDP MP Romeo Saganash's Bill C-262, reflecting the party's long-standing support for implementing the UN declaration.
Addresses government failures: The NDP emphasizes that the bill is necessary due to valid mistrust in the government's willingness to uphold Indigenous rights, citing ongoing human rights violations and lack of action.
Requires amendments: While supporting the bill, the NDP notes it is not perfect and requires amendments, particularly to address systemic racism, based on witness testimony.

Bloc

Supports bill C-15: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-15, having long advocated for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and emphasizing the urgency of its passage and implementation.
Consent is not a veto: The Bloc clarifies that free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) is not a veto right but an obligation to co-operate in good faith, similar to the duty to consult.
No infringement on jurisdiction: The party believes Bill C-15 does not infringe on provincial jurisdictions, supporting the Minister of Justice's clarification that it imposes obligations only on the federal government.
Aligns with Quebec's position: The Bloc notes that the bill aligns with the unanimous position of the Quebec National Assembly, which recognized the need to implement the UN Declaration and negotiate with First Nations and Inuit.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 15th, 2021 / 6:25 p.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Madam Speaker, I believe if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to see the clock at 6:40 p.m.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 15th, 2021 / 6:25 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes

Is it agreed?

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 15th, 2021 / 6:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 15th, 2021 / 6:25 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes

It being 6:40 p.m., the House will now proceed to the consideration of Private Members' Business as listed on today's Order Paper.

The House resumed from April 15 consideration of the motion that Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 19th, 2021 / 3:15 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

It being 3:18 p.m., pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at the second reading stage of Bill C-15.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #93

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 19th, 2021 / 3:30 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

(Motion agreed to, bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 19th, 2021 / 3:30 p.m.

Liberal

Yvonne Jones Liberal Labrador, NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a point of order and ask the member for Nunavut to apologize for her comments made on Twitter over the weekend.

In response to an indigenous politics post, she said that I am not an Inuk. This member has no right to question my culture or indigenous identity. It is a violation of my honesty and integrity as a parliamentarian. I ask the member to respect all indigenous people in Canada, to apologize for her statement and stop committing racial erosion against our culture. It is attitudes like this that have set Inuit back decades in modern society. I ask that she stand and apologize for her comment and withdraw it on Twitter.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 19th, 2021 / 3:30 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I thank the hon. member for her comments and her input. Unfortunately, the Speaker does not have jurisdiction over what goes on outside of the chamber. I am going to have to leave it at that.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 19th, 2021 / 3:30 p.m.

NDP

Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I want to be very clear from your ruling. I did see that exchange on Twitter and the question was about whether the Liberals had been meeting with mining companies and telling the truth. I am very concerned that this attack on the member for Nunavut has been made in the House when we know that Twitter is a separate issue.

Is the Speaker saying that it is not his jurisdiction to intervene in Twitter spats with members online?

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 19th, 2021 / 3:35 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I am afraid if the Speaker had to make rulings on everything that was said on social media, we would not have time for much else. No. The member for Timmins—James Bay is correct that what goes on in the chamber gets ruled on by the Speaker, and not what goes on in social media.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 19th, 2021 / 3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Yvonne Jones Liberal Labrador, NL

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order—

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

April 19th, 2021 / 3:35 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

We are getting into debate here. I do not want to move into debate, so we will move on unless another point of order or a question of privilege is being claimed. If not, then we will go on.