The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

has the honour to present its

SIXTH REPORT

Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-3, An Act to promote gender equity in Indian registration by responding to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia decision in McIvor v. Canada (Registrar of Indian and Northern Affairs), has, in obedience to its order of reference of November 25, 2010, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment.

Your committee has also made certain observations which are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

NANCY RUTH
Chair

OBSERVATIONS
to the Sixth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (Bill C-3)

Sex Discrimination

Bill C-3 does not deal with all sex discrimination stemming from the Indian Act.

Exploratory Process

A)  It has taken many years, and the discipline and dedication of one woman, Sharon McIvor, to get this issue on the agenda of the government and of aboriginal groups. Therefore, structures and resources need to flow to women and their descendants who were disenfranchised so that these issues be on the priority list in the next stage during the exploratory process.

B)  This committee requests that the government table, in the relevant Commons and Senate committees, its progress on the nature and extent of discussions during the exploratory process, particularly as related to matters of Indian Status and gender equality. Furthermore, we request that the government give early indications of legislation and program enhancements relating to Indian registration and band membership.