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Bill C-15 is a proposed federal law setting out a framework to advance implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. It was tabled for 1st Reading in the House of Commons on December 3, 2020.

Bill C-15 is closely modelled on Bill C-262, Romeo Saganash’s private Member’s bill from the 2018-2019 session of Parliament. Bill C-262 was widely supported by First Nations and was supported by AFN Resolution 97-2017. Bill C-262 was passed by the House of Commons in 2018. However, stalling in the Senate prevented Bill C-262 becoming law before that session of Parliament ended. Resolution 86-2019 was subsequently passed  by the Chiefs-in-Assembly calling for a government bill as strong or stronger than Bill C-262.

Following the 2020 Virtual Annual General Assembly the AFN Executive Committee decided to respond to calls from First Nations leadership for further opportunity to dialogue on Bill C-15.  The format of the National Forum will be two half-day sessions with ample time for First Nations leadership to dialogue and discuss Bill C-15.

The National Forum will be webcast.

Systemic discrimination can only be addressed through systemic change. For the Assembly of First Nations, implementation of the UN Declaration is key to closing the gap in quality of life and access to basic services between First Nations and all Canadians. The affirmation of our fundamental human rights, and the commitment to end racism and discrimination, is the foundation for holding systems and institutions accountable.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and many others have all called for full implementation of the UN Declaration as a necessary measure to heal the wounds of racism, discrimination, and injustice

National Chief Perry Bellegarde

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2021/01/11/perry-bellegarde-potential-to-implement-un-indigenous-rights-declaration-a-sign-of-hope-for-the-new-year.html

Provisional Agenda

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Background of the National Leadership Forum

Following the 2020 Virtual Annual General Assembly the AFN Executive, comprised of all of the AFN Regional Chiefs, mandated that this forum be held as soon as possible to provide First Nations leadership the opportunity to dialogue on Bill C-15. The format of the National Leadership Forum will be two half-day sessions with ample time for First Nations leadership to dialogue and discuss Bill C-15.

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Bill C-15 Forum Overview

After Bill C-262 was blocked, the AFN Chiefs in Assembly passed a resolution (Resolution 86-2019) mandating the AFN to work toward the introduction of replacement legislation based on C-262 and containing at least the same essential provisions. Bill C-15, tabled on December 3, 2020, does that and includes improvements. In many ways Bill C-15 is an even stronger Bill than C-262. Recognizing that First Nations leadership need dedicated time and space to discuss this new legislation the AFN Executive passed a motion calling for a National Forum on Bill C-15 in December of 2020.

What is the format of the National Forum on Bill C-15?

As the National lobby organization for First Nations the AFN Executive, comprised of all of the AFN Regional Chiefs, mandated that this forum focus on providing First Nations leadership with the opportunity to dialogue as leaders and rights-holders on C-15. Therefore the forum will have two components; the first will be a moderated virtual forum dedicated to First Nations Chiefs and Councillors with ample open dialogue on the first day following brief panel presentations from leaders such as Romeo Saganash, Chief Wilton Littlechild, Minister of Justice David Lametti and other leading legal experts and leadership. The parallel second component will be a widely available Youtube broadcast of the event to support national awareness and dialogue. The entire second day of this event is dedicated to First Nations leaders discussing this legislation. Join us and add your voice as a First Nations elected representative to this critical dialogue.

What will Bill C-15 do?

If passed by both the House of Commons and the Senate, the Bill would require the federal government to implement the UN Declaration through concrete action including the creation of a National Action Plan. This specifically includes working with First Nations to set priorities and to identify laws that need to be changed.

What’s new in Bill C-15?

Bill C-15 has an expanded and improved ‘preamble’ that will help ensure interpretation of this legislation affirms and respects First Nations’ inherent sovereignty.  Bill C-15 also has a purpose clause. It says the purpose of the Act is to affirm the Declaration as a universal international human rights instrument with application in Canadian law. Another stated purpose is to provide a framework for implementation action by the Government of Canada.

Bill C-15 provides greater detail on the requirements of an implementation plan. This includes a focus on action to eliminate all forms of discrimination impacting First Nations. It specifically states that an implementation plan “must include measures to address injustices, combat prejudice and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination, including systemic discrimination, against Indigenous peoples and Indigenous elders, youth, children, women, men, persons with disabilities and gender-diverse persons and two-spirit persons.”

Canada must act to bring its laws, policies and operational practices into conformity with the minimum standards of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. These standards are part of international human rights law and Canada is obliged to meet them. Canada must finally be a human rights leader at home.

National Chief Perry Bellegarde, Assembly of First Nations

Registration for National Forum on C-15

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Please note that there is no registration fee for this Symposium.

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Agenda

Day 1: Wednesday February 10, 2021

1:00PM – 5:45PM EST

1:00PM
Opening Prayer and National Chief Opening Remarks

1:30PM
Panel #1: Overview of the UN Declaration
Roméo Saganash
Chief Wilton Littlechild

2:00 PM
First Nations Leadership Plenary Dialogue

2:30 PM
Health Break

2:45 PM 
Panel #2: Perspectives on Bill C-15
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond (Aki-Kwe)
Ratsénhaienhs Ross Kakwirakeron Montour

3:15 PM 
First Nations Leadership Plenary Dialogue

3:45 PM
Panel #3 – Bill 41 (BC) Experiences To-Date
Regional Chief Terry Teegee
Cheryl Casimer (?aq‡smaknik pi¢ak pa‡kiy)
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson

4:30 PM
Day 1 Closing First Nations Leadership Plenary Dialogue

5:40 PM
Day 1 Adjourned

Day 2: Thursday February 11, 2021

1:00PM – 5:00PM EST

1:00 PM
Opening

1:15 PM
Ministerial Presentation – Bill C-15
Minister of Justice David Lametti

1:30 PM
First Nations Leadership Plenary Dialogue with Minister Lametti

2:00 PM
Health Break

2:15 PM
Ministerial Presentation – Bill C-15
Premier John Horgan (BC)
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin, Q.C.

2:30 PM
First Nations Leadership Plenary Dialogue with Minister Rankin

3:00 PM
First Nations Leadership Plenary Dialogue Session

4:00 PM
Health Break

4:15 PM
Day 2 Closing First Nations Leadership Plenary Dialogue

4:45 PM
Closing Comments and Closing Prayer

5:00 PM
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM ADJOURNED

Provisional Agenda

National Forum Materials

Documents and Resources

November 24, 2020

Contacts

Registration

Tash Cote
Telephone: (613) 241-6789 Ext. 274
Fax: (613) 241-5808
[email protected]

General Information

Telephone: (613) 241-6789
Fax: (613) 241-5808
[email protected]

Sid LeeBill C-15