Bill C-29

National Council for Reconciliation Act

An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation

Sponsor

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is, or will soon become, 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 for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation as an independent, non-political, permanent and Indigenous-led organization whose purpose is to advance reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.

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-29s:

C-29 (2021) Law Port of Montreal Operations Act, 2021

C-29 (2016) Law Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2

C-29 (2014) Law Appropriation Act No. 1, 2014-15

C-29 (2011) Law Appropriation Act No. 3, 2011-12

Votes

April 29, 2024 Passed Motion respecting Senate amendments to Bill C-29, An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation

March 20, 2024 Passed Time allocation for Bill C-29, An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation

Dec. 1, 2022 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-29, An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation

Nov. 29, 2022 Passed Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-29, An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation

Nov. 29, 2022 Passed Bill C-29, An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation (report stage amendment)

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-29 aims to establish an indigenous-led, independent, and permanent National Council for Reconciliation. The council would monitor, evaluate, conduct research, and report on the progress of reconciliation across all sectors of Canadian society and all levels of government. It is intended to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action 53 to 56 and ensure accountability for advancing reconciliation.

Liberal

Supports the bill's passage: Liberal members voiced strong support for Bill C-29, emphasizing its importance in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. They urged all members of Parliament to support the bill's swift passage, highlighting that reconciliation is a Canadian issue that requires the involvement of all.
Bill addresses TRC calls: The Liberal party emphasized that Bill C-29 directly responds to calls to action 53, 54, 55, and 56 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. These calls to action focus on establishing a National Council for Reconciliation to monitor and report on progress toward reconciliation.
Collaborative development process: The Liberals highlighted the collaborative approach taken in developing Bill C-29, which involved extensive engagement with Indigenous leaders, communities, and organizations. They emphasized that the bill was developed with significant input and leadership from Indigenous peoples.
Council's independence: The Liberals stressed that the National Council for Reconciliation would be an independent, indigenous-led, and non-political body. While the government would provide initial funding, the council would operate independently, holding all levels of government accountable for progress on reconciliation.

Conservative

Supports Bill C-29: The Conservative Party supports Bill C-29, as the council would help achieve better goals for indigenous people. Amendments were introduced to make the bill stronger, particularly with regard to accountability, transparency and good governance.
Economic reconciliation needed: The Conservatives believe economic reconciliation is an important component of overall reconciliation, as it lifts up first nations and provides economic opportunities. They sought to include indigenous economic national organizations in the council to ensure economic reconciliation is addressed as a foundation for reconciliation.
Accountability and results: The council for reconciliation should serve as an accountability mechanism for the government to ensure it is getting meaningful results with the dollars it is spending. There is concern that the Liberal government spends more and gets less, and that money isn't flowing to communities to be allocated in ways that best serve them.
Transparency and appointments: The Conservatives raised concerns about the transparency and independence of the appointment process for the board of directors of the national council. They felt that the minister should be accountable and transparent in the House when addressing concerns about the selection process.

NDP

Supports Bill C-29: The NDP supports Bill C-29 and the creation of a national council for reconciliation. Members emphasized the importance of addressing disparities between indigenous peoples and other Canadians, including issues related to reproductive care, justice, and the overrepresentation of indigenous children in foster care.
Economic reconciliation needed: While recognizing the need for economic reconciliation, members cautioned against resource extraction as the primary focus. They advocate for economic opportunities that align with indigenous values and promote self-determination.
Concrete action, not words: The NDP insists that concrete actions are needed to address long-standing issues facing indigenous peoples. They cited the Auditor General's repeated criticisms of the government's failure to effectively serve indigenous communities and the urgent need for accountability.
Address child welfare crisis: Members raised concerns about the high percentage of indigenous children in foster care. They emphasized that addressing the child welfare crisis requires acknowledging the ongoing impacts of residential schools and the sixties scoop, as well as ensuring access to language, land, and cultural support for indigenous families.

Bloc

Bill C-29 supported: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-29, which establishes an apolitical and permanent indigenous-led national council for reconciliation, responding to calls to action 53 to 56 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They advocate for nation-to-nation relations between Quebec, Canada, and First Nations.
Strengthening Indigenous voice: The Bloc believes in giving Indigenous peoples a stronger voice in the reconciliation process. They have consistently worked to strengthen and guarantee Indigenous inherent rights at the federal level and ensure the full application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
Scope of the council: The Bloc raises questions about the broad scope of the council's mandate, particularly regarding monitoring private businesses versus focusing on government corporations and bodies. They emphasize the importance of the government setting an example in reconciliation efforts.
Avoiding jurisdictional overlap: The Bloc questions potential overlap between the national council's monitoring activities and existing bodies in Quebec, such as the Quebec ombudsman and committees monitoring the Viens commission’s recommendations. They hope the council will focus on federal issues in Quebec to avoid duplication.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:45 p.m.

Sydney—Victoria Nova Scotia

Liberal

Jaime Battiste LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Madam Speaker, the member touched upon the importance of the children. Several calls to action speak to education and the need to talk about the true indigenous history all across Canada, Métis history, Inuit history and first nations history.

I wonder if the member opposite could talk a little about what he sees in his province. We now have National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We have a national council of reconciliation, $126.5 million. Could the member opposite talk a little about whether thinks the education that children are currently receiving on reconciliation and indigenous history within his province is adequate or does more need to be done?

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:45 p.m.

NDP

Blake Desjarlais NDP Edmonton Griesbach, AB

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. parliamentary secretary for ensuring that this question is asked today, because it is an important one. It touches on the very basis of where our society goes and the purpose of public education in that journey.

We are in an age, not only of reconciliation, but of action and consequence. If we did not act in every facet of society, including our public schools, a whole new generation of Canadians would have been failed. They would have not understood more deeply the importance of residential schools and the impact they have on children. They would not have information regarding the sixties scoop. They would not have information with respect to the CFS system. It is important we continue to do work to ensure our public schools from coast to coast to coast are equipped with the tools to discuss this important history.

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:45 p.m.

Conservative

Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Edmonton Griesbach for his comments. I have appreciated the opportunity to work with him on a number of files over the last year.

I want to go back to the amendment that has been proposed by the Liberals. In 2018 the government signed an accord recognizing the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples as one of the five national indigenous organizations, which is why at committee the Conservatives brought forward a motion to add a seat at the table for this organization. That passed with the support of the NDP and the Bloc Québécois members.

Given that the Liberals are now bringing forward an amendment to remove that seat, I wonder if the member for Edmonton Griesbach can clarify if the NDP members will vote, as they did at committee, in favour of reserving a seat on this board for the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:45 p.m.

NDP

Blake Desjarlais NDP Edmonton Griesbach, AB

Madam Speaker, I want to mention something very critical to the understanding of this place, Canada, and the government in relation to the conversation of representatives who represent indigenous people. When we say “national organizations”, what are the nations we are talking about, and who belongs to those nations? It is critical that we flip that question upside down and understand that indigenous people are truly grassroots people and that Canada must meet them where they are, not the other way around.

Therefore, to appease the member, I understand where the Conservatives are coming from. The composition of this board is seemingly and perceptively looking as though it is lacking independence, because the government is appointing members, and the Conservatives are trying to appoint members right now. The New Democrats are saying that the composition does not matter. The composition needs to be one that truly understands that indigenous people have to be met where they are, on the ground.

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

Winnipeg North Manitoba

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Madam Speaker, I think it is worth noting, when we talk about the calls to action, that today's bill, Bill C-29, with its amendments, is a significant achievement in recognizing that there are in fact four calls that are addressed. Timing and politics aside, I think it is important for us to recognize the significance of this legislation. Would the member not agree?

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

NDP

Blake Desjarlais NDP Edmonton Griesbach, AB

Madam Speaker, it is important that we thank the survivors, the important members of indigenous governments and the grassroots leaders, but in some ways it is also important to give a shout-out to the children who are enduring this pain every single day and relying on parliamentarians in the House to provide the kind of justice that not only indigenous children but all children deserve in this country. When we talk about not being political with respect to these issues, it is important that we also understand that there is far more to do to ensure that these children get the justice and the kind of compensation they deserve for this treatment.

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

Is the House ready for the question?

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Question.

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The question is on Motion No. 1. If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the motion be carried or carried on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

The hon. member for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River.

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

Conservative

Gary Vidal Conservative Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK

Madam Speaker, we request a recorded division.

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The recorded division on the motion stands deferred.

The next question is on Motion No. 2.

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

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

Liberal

Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS

Madam Speaker, I would like to request a recorded division.

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The recorded division on the motion stands deferred.

The next question is on Motion No. 3.

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

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

NDP

Blake Desjarlais NDP Edmonton Griesbach, AB

Madam Speaker, we would like to request a recorded division.

Motions in AmendmentNational Council for Reconciliation ActGovernment Orders

November 29th, 2022 / 1:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The recorded division on the motion stands deferred.

Normally at this time the House would proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions at the report stage of the bill.

However, pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, the recorded divisions stand deferred until later this day at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.