Bill C-10

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act

An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation

Sponsor

Rebecca Alty Liberal

Status

Third reading (House), as of April 21, 2026

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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 appointment of a Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation to conduct reviews and performance audits of the activities of government institutions related to the implementation of modern treaties. It also establishes the Office of the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation for the purpose of assisting the Commissioner in the fulfillment of their mandate and the exercise of their powers and the performance of their duties and functions. Finally, it makes consequential amendments to other Acts.

Similar bills

C-77 (44th Parliament, 1st session) Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation 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-10s:

C-10 (2022) Law An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19

C-10 (2020) An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts

C-10 (2020) Law Appropriation Act No. 4, 2019-20

C-10 (2016) Law An Act to amend the Air Canada Public Participation Act and to provide for certain other measures

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-10 proposes a Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation, an independent officer reporting to Parliament, to oversee and improve the federal government's fulfillment of modern treaty obligations.

Liberal

Establishes independent oversight: The bill establishes an independent Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation, directly responding to over 20 years of Indigenous advocacy for an oversight mechanism to hold the federal government accountable to its treaty commitments and build trust.
Advances reconciliation and UNDRIP: The legislation is a crucial step in advancing reconciliation and upholding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), strengthening nation-to-nation relationships and ensuring Canada meets its constitutional obligations.
Fosters economic growth and partnership: Modern treaties are vital drivers of economic prosperity for Indigenous communities and all Canadians. The bill, co-developed with modern treaty partners, ensures effective implementation to unlock this potential through collaboration.

Conservative

Opposes new, redundant bureaucracy: The party opposes Bill C-10, arguing the proposed commissioner is a costly, redundant bureaucracy that duplicates the Auditor General's work and merely covers government failures.
Highlights Liberal government's failures: Conservatives note the Liberal government has failed to negotiate any modern treaties in a decade, unlike the previous Conservative government's record of five in six years.
Demands accountability and concrete action: The party demands ministers and departments be held accountable for fulfilling existing legal obligations and delivering tangible results, rather than relying on more reports and bureaucratic layers.

NDP

Supports bill C-10: The NDP supports Bill C-10, a reproduction of Bill C-77, which has been developed over 20 years with modern treaty partners to ensure treaty obligations are met.
Ensures accountability and reconciliation: The bill acts as a safeguard, ensuring federal accountability for modern treaty implementation, aligning Canada with UNDRIP, and advancing reconciliation and self-determination for Indigenous peoples.
Developed with indigenous partners: Indigenous modern treaty partners asked for this legislation, which was created in consultation with over 130 Indigenous groups, receiving overwhelming support.
Justifies new office and costs: The new office, while incurring costs, would cooperate with the Auditor General to reduce duplication, improve certainty, de-risk investment, and support Indigenous economic participation.

Bloc

Supports the bill: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-10 as an important step towards reconciliation and ensuring accountability in the implementation of modern treaties, a position consistent with their previous stance.
Ensures accountability and transparency: The party believes the commissioner will provide necessary oversight to ensure the government fulfills its obligations, addresses a lack of follow-up, and moves beyond symbolic gestures to real action.
Proposes improvements to the bill: The Bloc suggests amendments to ensure the commissioner's independence, guarantee full access to information, respect provincial jurisdictions, ensure adequate funding, and require immediate tabling of reports.
Acknowledges Quebec's leadership: The party highlights Quebec's James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement as Canada's first modern treaty, serving as a successful model for land management and indigenous community development.

Green

Supports bill C-10: The Green Party strongly supports Bill C-10, which establishes a commissioner for modern treaty implementation, as a crucial step for reconciliation.
Indigenous-led initiative: Bill C-10 is the result of over 20 years of consultation and co-development with Indigenous peoples, particularly the Land Claims Agreements Coalition.
Urges swift passage: The party urges all members to pass Bill C-10 quickly, without amendments, and to avoid making it a political football, respecting Indigenous requests.
Essential for reconciliation: Passing Bill C-10 is a vital action to demonstrate seriousness about reconciliation and to honor the long-standing promises made to Indigenous modern treaty partners.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:45 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

The hon. member for Langley Township—Fraser Heights.

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tako Van Popta Conservative Langley Township—Fraser Heights, BC

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague from Skeena—Bulkley Valley on the work he has done with the Haisla Nation and others in British Columbia for advancing indigenous reconciliation. I thank him very much for that.

With respect to accountability, the member pointed out correctly that the Auditor General is the ultimate holder to accountability of the government, and that office is being ignored. I predict that the Liberal government would ignore what this commissioner would say.

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:45 p.m.

NDP

Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC

Mr. Speaker, we heard again this morning about the uneven, inconsistent and sometimes ignored implementation of the treaty process. We have heard from the nations wanting this treaty commissioner to absolutely ensure that treaty implementation happens. Now, we hear Conservatives say, “Well, that is a waste of money.” However, what is costly is not implementing a treaty because, when treaties are implemented, it creates jobs. Those nations want to participate in the economy. They want to move forward.

We hear also from the Conservatives all the time that the government should have done more. Absolutely, the government should do more, but so should the official opposition. Will the Conservatives admit that they need to ask more questions when it comes to indigenous issues in this place, as the official opposition?

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:50 p.m.

Conservative

Tako Van Popta Conservative Langley Township—Fraser Heights, BC

Mr. Speaker, indeed it is the government's job to implement these treaties. As the opposition, our job is to hold the government to account, as it is that member's responsibility as well.

We need the Conservatives to form government. I am thinking of the Harper days when we actually got the job done. It can be done, and we are waiting for the government to finally take action to get the job done.

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

Is the House ready for the question?

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Question.

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

The question is on the motion.

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

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:50 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, I understand that we will be carrying it on division.

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

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)

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:50 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I suspect if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent to call it 6:41 p.m. so we could get into the late show.

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:50 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

Is it agreed?

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation ActGovernment Orders

February 9th, 2026 / 4:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.