Natural Resources committee  I think there is a lot of guidance to be drawn from international standards, such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the interpretations that exist out there through bodies like the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the expert mechanism on th

Natural Resources committee  There is definitely a significant gap in the enforcement of these guidelines. This is one of the problems we see around the world. We often have good laws but weak institutions for upholding those laws. The problem is multiplied when you have indigenous peoples who are the subjec

Natural Resources committee  As Chief Laboucan-Avirom said, we lack perfect international practices. The practice is more often a negative one than a positive one. But I think you're absolutely right. The earlier the engagement, the better, on all kinds of levels. For one thing, the earlier the engagement ca

Natural Resources committee  Very much so.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you. I'd like to begin by acknowledging the Algonquin people on whose territory we have the privilege of meeting today. I would like to thank the members of the committee for this opportunity to come to speak to you. I would also like to express my appreciation for the op

Canadian Heritage committee  We certainly do see it positively at a high level. We do not have the expertise of other organizations, and I'm not in a position to speak for indigenous peoples themselves, obviously, so there's a level of detail around the bill where we would rely on the judgment of others. Th

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you. I would like to acknowledge the Algonquin people, on whose lands we have the privilege of meeting, and I would also like to thank the members of the standing committee for this opportunity to appear before you. As the chair said, my name is Craig Benjamin. I'm a memb

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I fully agree. Declarations do have legal effect. In my presentation I gave examples of the declaration being used in courts, tribunals, and quasi-judicial bodies. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples already does have legal effect in Canada. All declarations

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll add one thing, which picks up on the Grand Chief's point about this long history of indigenous peoples bearing the burden of having to constantly prove their rights through these long and onerous processes. The declaration not only gives us an enormous body of substance deve

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Good afternoon. My name is Craig Benjamin. I am here on behalf of Amnesty International. I'd like to begin by acknowledging the Algonquin people, whose traditional territory we have the privilege of meeting on today. I'd like to thank the committee for this opportunity to speak