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 affirms the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as applicable in Canadian law and requires the government to develop an action plan.

Liberal

Implements UNDRIP for reconciliation: Bill C-15 implements the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canadian law, providing a framework essential for reconciliation and upholding indigenous rights.
Requires co-developed action plan: The legislation requires the government to co-develop an action plan with indigenous peoples within two years to align Canadian laws with UNDRIP and address injustices and discrimination.
Shaped by extensive consultation: The bill was developed through extensive engagement with indigenous partners and stakeholders, leading to key enhancements and amendments based on their feedback.
Clarifies free, prior, informed consent: Liberals clarify that free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) is not a veto but promotes indigenous inclusion and provides greater economic certainty and stability.

Conservative

Bill creates uncertainty: Conservatives argue Bill C-15 creates uncertainty in Canadian law, particularly regarding free, prior and informed consent and its relationship to the duty to consult.
Free, prior and informed consent as veto: Members are concerned that free, prior and informed consent may act as a veto, contradicting government claims and potentially undermining existing duty to consult principles.
Negative economic impacts: The bill's lack of clarity is feared to cause uncertainty, deter investment, increase litigation, and hinder economic opportunities for First Nations communities.
Inadequate consultation: Conservatives criticize the government's consultation process for being insufficient, occurring too late, and failing to adequately represent individual First Nations communities.

NDP

Supports bill C-15 as a step: The NDP views Bill C-15 as an overdue, albeit imperfect, step forward in upholding and protecting the fundamental human rights of indigenous peoples in Canada.
Supported key amendments: The party supported amendments to clarify the bill's purpose, affirm the declaration's application in Canadian law, and include the living tree doctrine and systemic racism.
Includes living tree doctrine: A key amendment includes the living tree doctrine, recognizing that indigenous rights and treaties are not frozen in time and must evolve to address modern realities.
Requires follow-up action: While a start, the bill is not perfect and must be followed with concrete action to achieve justice and uphold indigenous human rights in Canada.

Bloc

Supports bill C-15: The Bloc Québécois supports the bill to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, believing it is essential for reconciliation.
Pass bill quickly: The party emphasizes the long delay since the declaration was adopted and urges Parliament to pass the bill as quickly as possible.
Addresses free, prior and informed consent: The Bloc refutes the myth that free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) is a veto, stating it requires consultation in good faith.
Respects provincial jurisdiction: The party stresses that the bill respects provincial jurisdiction and requires different levels of government to work together for proper implementation.

Green

Rejects bill C-15: Despite campaigning to implement UNDRIP, the Green Party rejects Bill C-15, arguing it does not truly accomplish this goal or check the box of reconciliation.
Lacks specifics and consultation: The bill lacks specific measures for implementation and sufficient consultation with individual rights holders, creating uncertainty and mistrust in government.
Fails to uphold inherent rights: The party believes indigenous rights are inherent and already exist; the issue is Canada's failure to uphold them, seeing the bill as insufficient for true repair.
Not distinctions-based: The bill fails to enshrine a distinctions-based approach, treating indigenous nations as pan-indigenous and potentially leading to more legal battles.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

May 14th, 2021 / 1:40 p.m.

Green

Jenica Atwin Green Fredericton, NB

Madam Speaker, I do not know how much solace it brings me to be in agreeance with the Conservative Party of Canada on some of these issues.

I will go back to that consultation piece. The people I care about, who I speak to on a daily basis, have not had that thorough consultation. He is right that there were important amendments brought forward, and not all were adopted, including that important one about distinctions-based rights and the diversity that exists across this country. To say that there is consensus—

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

May 14th, 2021 / 1:45 p.m.

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

It being 1:45 p.m., pursuant to order made earlier today, it is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith every question necessary to dispose of the third reading stage of the bill now before the House.

The question is on the motion.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division, or that the motion be adopted on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

The hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

May 14th, 2021 / 1:45 p.m.

Conservative

Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB

Madam Speaker, I would ask for a recorded division.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

May 14th, 2021 / 1:45 p.m.

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

Pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the division stands deferred until Tuesday, May 25, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

May 14th, 2021 / 1:45 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Madam Speaker, I believe if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to see the clock at two o'clock, so we can start Private Members' Business.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

May 14th, 2021 / 1:45 p.m.

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

Does the hon. member have unanimous consent?

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

May 14th, 2021 / 1:45 p.m.

Some hon members

Agreed.

The House resumed from May 14 consideration of the motion that Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, be read the third time and passed.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

May 25th, 2021 / 3:30 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

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 third reading stage of Bill C-15.

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

Vote #119

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ActGovernment Orders

May 25th, 2021 / 3:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the third time and passed)