Metis presidents urge standing committee to pass Bill C 53 without amendments

By Shari Narine Local Journalism Initiaive Reporter It’s not at this stage in the process that Canada should weigh in, the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs was told Oct. 26. It was holding its first hearing on Bill C-53, legislation that recognizes certain Metis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The time to weigh in will come when treaties from the legislation are being negotiated and that’s when other Indigenous people will be consulted, said Michelle LeClair, vice president for the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S). “All three treaties?will be negotiated independently and it’s there, through that process, that duty to consult will be triggered,’’ she said. “But the venue for these concerns is not here. Not regarding Bill C-53. Our legislation doesn’t trigger the duty to consult. It lays…

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription – Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Add Your Voice

Is there more to this story? We'd like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Contribute your voice on our contribute page.