Increase the number of comprehensive modern treaties and new self-government agreements for Indigenous communities.

What success looks like

An increased number of modern treaties (comprehensive land claim agreements, self-government agreements) that supports Indigenous peoples' self-determination, self-government and nation rebuilding.

Government's narrative on progress

Since 2015, the Government of Canada has been advancing the recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights through Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination discussions and the co-development of policy approaches that lead to greater self-determination. On December 4, 2018 at an Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly, the Prime Minister committed to replacing the outdated Comprehensive Land Claims Policy and Inherent Right Policy with a new policy reflective of a rights recognition approach. The new policy will be based on the innovative approaches to the recognition and implementation of rights adopted in recent years. In British Columbia, the Government is working in partnership with the province of British Columbia and the First Nations Summit to implement the proposals in the report on the "Multilateral Engagement Process to Improve and Expedite Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia" that was endorsed by the Principals to the British Columbia treaty process in May 2016. To demonstrate their commitment to transformative change beyond the Multilateral Engagement process, on December 1, 2018, the Principals signed the Principals’ Accord on Transforming Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia. The accord signals that the Crown and First Nations are committed to removing impediments to treaty negotiations in British Columbia and affirms an approach based on recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights, rather than extinguishment. In addition, negotiations under the British Columbia Treaty Process continue to move forward. Sto:lo. Ktunaxa and Metlakatla have each recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding moving these discussions to the final negotiation stage of the British Columbia treaty process. Budget 2018 outlines new steps the Government will take to increase the number of modern treaties and self-government agreements with Indigenous communities in a manner that reflects a recognition of rights approach. As part of this new approach, Canada will be moving away from the use of loans to fund Indigenous participation in the negotiation of modern treaties. Starting in 2018–2019, Indigenous participation in modern treaty negotiations will be funded through non-repayable contributions. The Government will engage with affected Indigenous groups on how best to address past and present negotiation loans, including forgiveness of loans. This engagement has taken place, resulting in a number of productive discussions. Results of these discussions will prove useful as Canada continues to work on the development of options with regards to treatment of past and present negotiation loan debt. Through Budget 2018, the Government is also providing support to begin the implementation of new fiscal policy reforms that have been co-developed with self-governing Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This funding will go to support key priorities, including the closing of socio-economic gaps, infrastructure, data collection and governance. Additionally, in Budget 2018, the Government also proposes to invest $51.4 million over the next two years to continue the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination discussion tables. Canada is currently engaged in various self-determination discussions with over 500 Indigenous communities across the country. Some key examples of progress we are making are outlined below. On December 14, 2017, Bill C-61, the Anishinabek Nation Education Act, received Royal Assent, marking the first self-government agreement in Ontario with 23 Anishinabek First Nations. The Agreement, which came into effect on April 1 2018, recognizes Anishinabek law-making powers and authority over K-12 education on reserve and a new education system grounded in Anishinabek culture and language. The Ontario Ministry of Education fully supports this Agreement and has a complementary arrangement in place to ensure that all Ontario students can benefit from this transformative education model. On March 29, 2018 Bill C-70 received Royal Assent giving effect to the Agreement on Cree Nation Governance between the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and the Government of Canada thereby advancing Self-Determination for approximately 18,000 Indigenous people in nine Cree communities in North-West Quebec. On December 5, 2018 an Education Agreement-in-Principle was signed with Nishnawbe Aski Nation. The Agreement-in-Principle paves the way for continued negotiations for First Nations' control and law-making authority over education from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 in their communities. Promoting Indigenous culture and language will be central to the new, Nishnawbe Aski Nation First Nations education system, to be created under the final agreement. On January 16, 2019, the Government of Canada, the Government of Northwest Territories and the Norman Wells Land Corporation signed the Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle for the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Norman Wells. The Agreement-in-Principle will provide the foundation for the negotiation of a final agreement, thereby renewing the relationship and aligning with the Principles respecting the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, Reconciliation and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Further, the Government continues to take concrete steps to advance reconciliation efforts in Eastern Canada. On November 12, 2018, a bilateral Framework Agreement on Reconciliation and the Fishery was signed with the Listuguj First Nation of Québec, which positions parties to advance Listuguj’s fishing rights and interests. On January 15, 2019, a tripartite Framework Agreement was signed with the Mi’kmaq of Prince Edward Island and the Government of Prince Edward Island, which sets the foundation to begin discussing the Mi’kmaq’s Aboriginal and treaty rights in detail. In addition to being acts of reconciliation, these types of agreements are intended to help Canada strengthen its cooperative nation-to-nation partnerships in the region and work towards implementing Indigenous rights and self-determination.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.