Bill C-641

2nd Session, 41st Parliament,

62-63 Elizabeth II, 2013-2014

house of commons of canada

BILL C-641

An Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes that the principles set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples should be enshrined in the laws of Canada;

Whereas, in the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, Canada and other states worldwide reaffirmed their solemn commitment to respect, promote and advance the rights of indigenous peoples and to uphold the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

Whereas Canada is committed to taking appropriate measures — including legislative, policy and administrative measures — at the national level, in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples, to achieve the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

Whereas protection of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights is an underlying constitutional principle and value;

Whereas human rights, the rule of law and democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforc­ing and they are underlying principles in Canada’s Constitution;

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

1. This Act may be cited as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indige­nous Peoples Act.

2. The Government of Canada, in consultation and cooperation with Canada’s indigenous peoples, must take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations as General Assembly Resolution 61/295 on September 13, 2007, and that is set out in the schedule to this Act.

3. The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development must, within 60 days after the first day of April of every year including and occurring between the years 2016 and 2036, submit a report on the implementation of section 2 of this Act for the relevant period to each House of Parliament.