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Bill S-13

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First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

SENATE OF CANADA

BILL S-13
An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts

FIRST READING, June 8, 2023

THE HONOURABLE SENATOR GOLD, P.‍C.

90937


SUMMARY

This enactment amends the Interpretation Act to provide that Acts of Parliament and regulations are to be construed as upholding the Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and not as abrogating or derogating from them. It also amends or repeals similar provisions in other Acts known as non-derogation clauses.

Available on the Senate of Canada website at the following address:
www.sencanada.ca/en


1st Session, 44th Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

SENATE OF CANADA

BILL S-13

An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

R.‍S.‍, c. I-21

Interpretation Act

1The Interpretation Act is amended by adding the following after section 8.‍2:

Start of inserted block

Indigenous Peoples

End of inserted block
Rights of Indigenous peoples
Start of inserted block
8.‍3(1)Every enactment is to be construed as upholding the Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and not as abrogating or derogating from them.
End of inserted block
Indigenous peoples
Start of inserted block
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), Indigenous peoples has the meaning assigned by the definition aboriginal peoples of Canada in subsection 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.
End of inserted block

Related Amendments

R.‍S.‍, c. F-14

Fisheries Act

2019, c. 14, s. 3

2Section 2.‍3 of the Fisheries Act is repealed.

R.‍S.‍, c. I-17

International Boundary Waters Treaty Act

2001, c. 40, s. 1

3Section 21.‍1 of the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act and the heading before it are repealed.

R.‍S.‍, c. N-22; 2012, c. 31, s. 316; 2019, c. 28, s. 46

Canadian Navigable Waters Act

2019, c. 28, s. 48

4Section 2.‍2 of the Canadian Navigable Waters Act is repealed.

R.‍S.‍, c. W-9; 1994, c. 23, s. 2(F)

Canada Wildlife Act

1994, c. 23, s. 4(4)

5Subsection 2(3) of the Canada Wildlife Act is repealed.

R.‍S.‍, c. 36 (2nd Supp.‍)

Canada Petroleum Resources Act

6The heading before section 2 of the English version of the Canada Petroleum Resources Act is replaced by the following:

Start of inserted block
Definitions
End of inserted block

7Section 3 of the Act is repealed.

1987, c. 3; 2014, c. 13, s. 3

Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act

8The heading “Interpretation” before section 47 of the English version of the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act is replaced by the following:

Start of inserted block
Definitions
End of inserted block

9Section 48 of the Act is repealed.

1988, c. 28

Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act

10The heading “Interpretation” before section 49 of the English version of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act is replaced by the following:

Start of inserted block
Definitions
End of inserted block

11Section 50 of the Act is repealed.

1994, c. 22

Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

12Subsection 2(3) of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 is repealed.

1995, c. 39

Firearms Act

13Subsection 2(3) of the Firearms Act is repealed.

1996, c. 31

Oceans Act

14The heading before section 2 of the Oceans Act is replaced by the following:

Start of inserted block
Definitions
End of inserted block

15Section 2.‍1 of the Act is repealed.

1998, c. 10

Canada Marine Act

16Section 3 of the Canada Marine Act and the heading before it are repealed.

1998, c. 25

Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act

17Subsection 5(2) of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act is replaced by the following:

Rights of Indigenous peoples
(2)This Act Insertion start is to Insertion end be construed Insertion start as upholding the Insertion end Aboriginal and treaty rights of Insertion start Indigenous Insertion end peoples Insertion start recognized and affirmed by Insertion end section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, Insertion start and not as abrogating or derogating from them Insertion end .
Indigenous peoples
Start of inserted block
(3)For the purposes of subsection (2), Indigenous peoples has the meaning assigned by the definition aboriginal peoples of Canada in subsection 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.
End of inserted block

1999, c. 33

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

18Section 4 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 is repealed.

2000, c. 32

Canada National Parks Act

19The heading before section 2 of the English version of the Canada National Parks Act is replaced by the following:

Start of inserted block
Definitions
End of inserted block

20Subsection 2(2) of the Act is repealed.

2002, c. 7

Yukon Act

21The heading before section 2 of the English version of the Yukon Act is replaced by the following:

Start of inserted block
Definitions
End of inserted block

22Section 3 of the Act is repealed.

2002, c. 18

Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act

23Subsection 2(2) of the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act is repealed.

2002, c. 29

Species at Risk Act

24Section 3 of the Species at Risk Act is repealed.

2005, c. 9; 2012, c. 19, s. 658

First Nations Fiscal Management Act

2018, c. 27, s. 413(b)‍(E)

25Section 3 of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act and the heading before it are repealed.

2005, c. 48

First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act

26Section 3 of the First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (d), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by repealing paragraph (e).

2008, c. 30

An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act

27Section 1.‍1 of An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act is repealed.

2019, c. 11

Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act

28Section 6 of the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act and the heading before it are repealed.

2019, c. 23

Indigenous Languages Act

29Section 3 of the Indigenous Languages Act is repealed.

2019, c. 24

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families

30Section 2 of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families is repealed.

2019, c. 26

Oil Tanker Moratorium Act

31Section 3.‍1 of the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act and the heading before it are repealed.

2019, c. 28, s. 1

Impact Assessment Act

32The heading before section 2 of the Impact Assessment Act is replaced by the following:

Start of inserted block
Definitions
End of inserted block

33Section 3 of the Act is repealed.

2019, c. 28, s. 10

Canadian Energy Regulator Act

34Section 3 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act is repealed.

2021, c. 14

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

35Subsection 2(2) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is repealed.

Coordinating Amendments

Bill C-21

36If Bill C-21, introduced in the 1st session of the 44th Parliament and entitled An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms), receives royal assent, then section 72.‍1 of that Act and the heading before it are repealed.

Bill C-35

37If Bill C-35, introduced in the 1st session of the 44th Parliament and entitled the Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act, receives royal assent, then section 3 of that Act is repealed.

Bill C-49

38(1)Subsections (2) to (5) apply if Bill C-49, introduced in the 1st session of the 44th Parliament and entitled An Act to amend the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (in this section referred to as the “other Act”), receives royal assent.

(2)If section 2 of the other Act comes into force before section 8 of this Act, then

  • (a)the heading before section 8 and sections 8 and 9 of this Act are deemed never to have come into force and are repealed;

  • (b)the heading “Interpretation” before section 47 of the English version of the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation and Offshore Renewable Energy Management Act is replaced by the following:

    Definitions

  • (c)section 48 of that Act is repealed.

(3)If section 2 of the other Act comes into force on the same day as section 8 of this Act, then that section 2 is deemed to have come into force before that section 8 and subsection (2) applies as a consequence.

(4)If section 108 of the other Act comes into force before section 10 of this Act, then

  • (a)the heading before section 10 and sections 10 and 11 of this Act are deemed never to have come into force and are repealed;

  • (b)the heading “Interpretation” before section 49 of the English version of the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation and Offshore Renewable Energy Management Act is replaced by the following:

    Definitions

  • (c)section 50 of that Act is repealed.

(5)If section 108 of the other Act comes into force on the same day as section 10 of this Act, then that section 108 is deemed to have come into force before that section 10 and subsection (4) applies as a consequence.

Published under authority of the Senate of Canada



EXPLANATORY NOTES

Interpretation Act
Clause 1:New.
Fisheries Act
Clause 2:Existing text of section 2.‍3:

2.‍3This Act is to be construed as upholding the rights of Indigenous peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and not as abrogating or derogating from them.

International Boundary Waters Treaty Act
Clause 3:Existing text of the heading and section 21.‍1:
Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

21.‍1For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of these rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canadian Navigable Waters Act
Clause 4:Existing text of section 2.‍2:

2.‍2For greater certainty, nothing in this Act is to be construed as abrogating or derogating from the protection provided for the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canada Wildlife Act
Clause 5:Existing text of subsection 2(3):

(3)For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canada Petroleum Resources Act
Clause 6:Existing text of the heading:
Interpretation
Clause 7:Existing text of section 3:

3Nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act
Clause 8:Existing text of the heading:
Interpretation
Clause 9:Existing text of section 48:

48Nothing in this Part shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act
Clause 10:Existing text of the heading:
Interpretation
Clause 11:Existing text of section 50:

50Nothing in this Part shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
Clause 12:Existing text of subsection 2(3):

(3)For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Firearms Act
Clause 13:Existing text of subsection 2(3):

(3)For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Oceans Act
Clause 14:Existing text of the heading:
Interpretation
Clause 15:Existing text of section 2.‍1:

2.‍1For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canada Marine Act
Clause 16:Existing text of the heading and section 3:
Aboriginal Rights

3For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the application of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 to existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada.

Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act
Clause 17:Existing text of subsection 5(2):

(2)For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
Clause 18:Existing text of section 4:

4For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canada National Parks Act
Clause 19:Existing text of the heading:
Interpretation
Clause 20:Existing text of subsection 2(2):

(2)For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Yukon Act
Clause 21:Existing text of the heading:
Interpretation
Clause 22:Existing text of section 3:

3For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act
Clause 23:Existing text of subsection 2(2):

(2)For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Species at Risk Act
Clause 24:Existing text of section 3:

3For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

First Nations Fiscal Management Act
Clause 25:Existing text of the heading and section 3:
Aboriginal Rights

3For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing Aboriginal or treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act
Clause 26:Relevant portion of section 3:

3For greater certainty,

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (e)nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act
Clause 27:Existing text of section 1.‍1:

1.‍1For greater certainty, the repeal of section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act shall not be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act
Clause 28:Existing text of the heading and section 6:
Related Provision

6For greater certainty, the amendments made by this Act to the Criminal Code, the Fisheries Act and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act shall not be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of these rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Indigenous Languages Act
Clause 29:Existing text of section 3:

3This Act is to be construed as upholding the rights of Indigenous peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and not as abrogating or derogating from them.

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
Clause 30:Existing text of section 2:

2This Act is to be construed as upholding the rights of Indigenous peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and not as abrogating or derogating from them.

Oil Tanker Moratorium Act
Clause 31:Existing text of the heading and section 3.‍1:
Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Canada

3.‍1For greater certainty, nothing in this Act is to be construed as abrogating or derogating from the protection provided for the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Impact Assessment Act
Clause 32:Existing text of the heading:
Interpretation
Clause 33:Existing text of section 3:

3For greater certainty, nothing in this Act is to be construed as abrogating or derogating from the protection provided for the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Canadian Energy Regulator Act
Clause 34:Existing text of section 3:

3For greater certainty, nothing in this Act is to be construed as abrogating or derogating from the protection provided for the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
Clause 35:Existing text of subsection 2(2):

(2)This Act is to be construed as upholding the rights of Indigenous peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and not as abrogating or derogating from them.


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