Monday, December 5, 2022

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples has the honour to table its

NINTH REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized to examine the the subject matter of those elements contained in Subdivisions A and B of Division 3 of Part 4 of Bill C-32, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 3, 2022 and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Thursday, November 17, 2022, examined the said subject-matter and now reports as follows:

The committee believes that the proposed amendments will address uncertainty and confusion by eliminating the duplication between the First Nations Land Management Act and the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.

The Framework Agreement for First Nation Lands Management is a good model of self-government that enables willing First Nations to assume control over their lands. The committee heard positive comments about the co-development of subdivisions A and B of Division 3 of part 4 of Bill C-32, a process that provides a model for the co-development of future legislation related to First Nations self-government. Over the years, the committee has studied numerous bills related to First Nations self-government. The committee believes that legislative initiatives pertaining to First Nations self-government provide excellent opportunities for First Nations to lead and partner in drafting legislation that concerns their rights.

Respectfully submitted,