Recommendation 1

A gap in data related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls 2SLGBTQI+ people hinders the public’s understanding of the scale of the crisis, and limits effective responses to prevent violence. Therefore, the committee recommends:

That the Government of Canada ensure that Indigenous-specific data and information should be collected, accessed and used by Indigenous peoples for accountability and transparency.

Recommendation 2

In the interest of making better quality information publicly available to Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people for transparency and accountability, the committee recommends:

• That Statistics Canada provide the committee with semi-annual progress reports starting in June 2025 on its Missing Persons Data Standard Project;
• That Statistics Canada provide the committee with semi-annual progress reports starting in June 2025 and preliminary data outcomes on the Disaggregated Data Action Plan;
• That Statistics Canada increase funding to Juristat for more in-depth analysis of disaggregated Indigenous data, based on the priorities of Indigenous governments, organizations and Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people; and

That Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada provide an overview to the committee of statistical and data outcomes from the Indigenous-led Data Projects program.

Recommendation 3

The committee therefore recommends:

That the Canadian Human Rights Commission, in partnership with Indigenous peoples, undertake broad consultations to identify existing barriers preventing Indigenous peoples from bringing complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Commission and develop an Indigenous-led strategy that is culturally responsive and inclusive to remove those barriers and increase access to justice; and

That the Canadian Human Rights Commission provide the committee with semi-annual progress reports on its work to reduce barriers experienced by Indigenous peoples starting in June 2025.

Recommendation 4

The committee therefore recommends:

That the Government of Canada table amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act to better support all complainants, including amendments to:

• refer to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Canada’s other international human rights obligations to ensure that these instruments inform the Canadian Human Rights Act’s interpretation and application;
• expand the mandate of the Canadian Human Rights Commission to directly support individuals with systemic complaints before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal; and

explore the need to increase the cap on compensation for pain and suffering that may be awarded by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada ensure that the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Canadian Human Rights Tribunal are adequately funded, and that the Canadian Human Rights Commission receive additional funding for the additional responsibilities proposed in the preceding recommendation to support individuals with systemic complaints.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada provide the committee with an update on any efforts it has made towards the implementation of the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and related inter-American human rights instruments.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada table legislation which:

• Establishes an Indigenous Human Rights Ombudsperson and Tribunal that is grounded by Indigenous expertise, laws, cultural values, the rights enshrined by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and which meets the international minimum standards for oversight of states actions like the United Nations Paris Principles and the Venice Principles;
• Places the development, leadership and governance of the Indigenous Human Rights Ombudsperson and Tribunal in the hands of diverse Indigenous peoples;
• Enables the Indigenous Human Rights Ombudsperson to investigate, compel documents, information and testimony, conduct systemic inquiries, facilitate resolution of complaints, including complaints of reprisal and provide education and legal services;
• Empowers an Indigenous Human Rights Tribunal to establish its own operating procedures, provide remedies – including in cases of retaliation, impose sanctions, make and enforce binding orders, and award costs; and
• Ensures that the Indigenous Human Rights Ombudsperson offices have regional reach and are accessible to Indigenous peoples in their languages.

Recommendation 8

The committee further recommends that Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada provide the committee with semi-annual progress reports on steps taken toward implementing recommendations made in the Call for Justice 1.7 Report beginning in June 2025.