Bill C-21

Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty Act

An Act to give effect to the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Sponsor

Rebecca Alty Liberal

Status

Second reading (House), as of April 22, 2026

Subscribe to a feed (what's a feed?) of speeches and votes in the House related to Bill C-21.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment gives effect to the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty and makes consequential amendments to other Acts.

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-21s:

C-21 (2022) Law An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms)

C-21 (2021) An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms)

C-21 (2016) Law An Act to amend the Customs Act

C-21 (2014) Law Red Tape Reduction Act

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-21 implements a treaty recognizing the Red River Métis' right to self-government and the Manitoba Métis Federation as their governing body. While proponents see this as a historic reconciliation milestone, critics raise concerns regarding legal ambiguity and potential impacts on other Indigenous groups.

Liberal

Recognizing Red River Métis self-government: The Liberal Party supports the bill to formally recognize the Red River Métis' inherent right to self-government and establish a permanent government-to-government relationship with the Manitoba Métis Federation.
Honouring historical legacies: The legislation honours the legacy of Louis Riel and the Red River Métis, addressing historical wrongs while fulfilling promises made during the formation of Manitoba and affirmed under Section 35.
Collaborative treaty implementation: Liberals emphasize that the treaty was co-developed with the Manitoba Métis Federation, ensuring the legislation reflects the needs and terms defined by the Red River Métis rather than being imposed by the Crown.
Enhancing community social outcomes: The party argues that self-government creates stability and empowers Indigenous communities to deliver tailored programs, leading to improved outcomes in education, employment, housing, and economic investment.

Conservative

Conditional support for self-government: While supporting Métis self-government in principle, the party opposes the bill's current form. They argue the government failed to consult other Indigenous nations and prioritized rhetoric over the hard work of achieving legal precision.
Concerns over jurisdictional ambiguity: Members warn the treaty lacks defined geographic boundaries, potentially allowing laws to apply across Western Canada. This creates uncertainty regarding law enforcement, resource development, and the jurisdictional rights of other Indigenous communities.
Risk of future litigation: The party highlights that constitutionalizing an ambiguous treaty risks decades of legal conflict. They call for explicit protections to ensure the agreement does not negate other Indigenous rights or threaten the private property of Canadians.
Inadequate consultation and accountability: The Conservatives demand the government pause to engage with First Nations and other Métis governments. They seek clarity on fiscal commitments and accountability mechanisms before entrenching the treaty within the constitution.

NDP

Support for self-determination: The NDP supports the bill at second reading, affirming the Red River Métis' inherent right to self-government and the Manitoba Métis Federation's authority over its internal matters, citizenship, and leadership.
Protection of First Nations rights: The party emphasizes the need to address concerns from First Nations regarding the treaty's potential impact on their land, resources, and harvesting rights through thorough study at the standing committee.
Addressing legal barriers: Leah Gazan proposes an amendment to ensure the bill does not abrogate the rights of other Indigenous peoples, specifically criticizing treaty provisions that could force groups into lengthy legal appeals.

Bloc

Supports modern treaty implementation: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-21 as a means to correct historical injustices and fulfill promises made to Louis Riel and the Red River Métis over 150 years ago.
Recognizes Métis self-government rights: The bill enshrines the inherent right to self-determination and self-government for the Red River Métis, establishing the Manitoba Métis Federation as their official democratic government.
Focuses on internal governance: The treaty focuses on internal matters like citizenship and elections without infringing on other jurisdictions, representing a co-developed framework that reflects the specific priorities of the Red River Métis.
Distinguishes from previous bills: Unlike previous legislative attempts, this bill satisfies modern treaty requirements through genuine negotiation and explicit recognition rather than granting the federal government unilateral authority over Métis relations.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty ActGovernment Orders

April 22nd, 2026 / 6:15 p.m.

Bloc

Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette—Manawan, QC

Mr. Speaker, a friend pointed out to me that there is no provision in Bill C-21 to safeguard the constitutional rights of other peoples that may be compromised. What are my hon. colleague's thoughts on this?

Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty ActGovernment Orders

April 22nd, 2026 / 6:15 p.m.

Conservative

David McKenzie Conservative Calgary Signal Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, that is definitely a question of concern. It is one of the problems with the legislation in its current form: simply that the extent of the impacts the legislation would have are not completely understood. As I mentioned, once this were enshrined as a Government of Canada treaty, any kind of changes or adjustments would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to make, so we need to understand.

It is not always easy to look into the future. If anybody in the House today has a good crystal ball, I would be happy to borrow it from time to time, but legal scholars, people in government and people with expertise in certain areas are entrusted with that task all the time. It would be the purpose of committee to get information from people who can project what the impact of the legislation would be, based on their own experiences and on their knowledge. We need to draw on that.

It is our view, as the Conservative Party, that the task was not undertaken fully and completely. Instead, we have been left with a bill that is not fully ready for passage before the House. To return to some of those processes to improve the legislation is our goal.