Bill S-2

An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements)

Status

In committee (House), as of Feb. 27, 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 amends the Indian Act to provide, among other things, new entitlements to registration in the Indian Register in response to the challenge of certain provisions of the Act under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Nicholas v. Canada (Attorney General) and that the persons who have become so entitled also have the right to have their names entered in a Band List maintained in the Department of Indigenous Services.

Similar bills

C-38 (44th Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements)

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 S-2s:

S-2 (2021) An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts

S-2 (2020) An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act

S-2 (2016) Law Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act

S-2 (2013) Law Incorporation by Reference in Regulations 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 S-2 amends the Indian Act to address inequities related to enfranchisement, restore status to affected First Nations individuals and descendants, and remove discriminatory language. It also seeks to eliminate the "second-generation cut-off" rule.

Conservative

Supports ending discrimination: The Conservative party fully supports Bill S-2 to end sex- and race-based discrimination in the Indian Act, addressing the Nicholas decision and eliminating the second-generation cut-off.
Criticizes government delays: Conservatives criticize the Liberal government's indecisiveness and perceived delay tactics, arguing that First Nations have been extensively consulted on these issues for decades.
Dismisses cost concerns: The party dismisses concerns about new registrant numbers and costs, stating that projections are manageable and financial considerations should not impede Charter equality rights.
Upholds family and self-determination: The bill is crucial for keeping First Nations families together and combating "legislated extinction." Conservatives advocate for First Nations to define their own membership laws.

NDP

Supports Bill S-2 amendments: The NDP supports the Senate amendments to Bill S-2, urging its quick passage to ensure justice for First Nations women and children by eliminating gender discrimination in the Indian Act.
Criticizes Liberal delay tactics: The NDP condemns the Liberal government for delaying the bill's passage through what it views as unnecessary consultations, contrasting this with the fast-tracking of other legislation.
Advocates for First Nations' jurisdiction: The party calls for immediate discussions with First Nations to achieve their inherent jurisdiction over citizenship and membership, free from federal oversight.
Rejects membership increase concerns: The NDP dismisses the government's concerns about a huge increase in potential members, citing expert estimates that indicate a much smaller annual impact from the amendments.

Bloc

Supports Bill S-2 with amendments: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill S-2, especially with the Senate's proposed amendments, but criticizes it as an incremental approach that does not fully address systemic discrimination against Indigenous women and their descendants.
Opposes the second-generation cut-off rule: The party condemns the second-generation cut-off rule as an indefensible, arbitrary colonial practice and an assimilation strategy that denies Indigenous identity, breaks up families, and jeopardizes communities.
Advocates for first nations' right to define membership: The Bloc demands that authority over First Nations membership be transferred from the federal government to First Nations themselves, asserting their inherent right to self-determination and identity.
Calls for redress and official apologies: The party highlights the bill's failure to provide compensation for victims of discrimination and supports calls for official apologies and effective redress for the intergenerational harm caused by the Indian Act.

Liberal

Supports bill S-2 as a vital, urgent step: The Liberal party strongly supports Bill S-2 as a vital and urgent step to address inequities in the Indian Act, particularly by restoring status to 3,500 individuals affected by enfranchisement.
Bill S-2 restores identity and dignity: Bill S-2 restores entitlement to approximately 3,500 First Nations individuals and their descendants, removes offensive language, and facilitates reaffiliation with natal bands, correcting historical harms.
Acknowledges remaining Indian Act inequities: The party recognizes that Bill S-2 does not address all inequities, specifically the "second-generation cut-off rule," which continues to harmfully erode entitlement across generations.
Pursues collaborative reform for further changes: A collaborative process, launched in November 2023, addresses the second-generation cut-off rule and section 10 voting thresholds, ensuring community-led solutions and meaningful engagement for future legislative changes.

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Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC

Mr. Speaker, we are actually duplicating the work in committee because, when the bill gets to committee, we will be studying this issue and hearing from witnesses, as was done in the Senate.

We are already doing this work as part of another study. I would not say that we are wasting our time. The testimony we are receiving is all relevant and interesting.

I hope that we can include these in the next study so we can hear from as many witnesses as possible. I think the first nations would agree. I am their critic, so I am going to say this very humbly. I am not going to put words in their mouths. However, I can say that we held consultations a long time ago and that we have known what to do for a long time. Now we need to act.

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

Is the House ready for the question?

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Question.

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 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.

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, we ask that it be carried on division.

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

Is it agreed?

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

I declare the motion carried on division. 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)

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I suspect if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent to call it 1:30 p.m. so we could begin private members' hour.

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

Is it agreed?

Indian ActGovernment Orders

February 27th, 2026 / 12:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.