Ottawa, Ontario (August 24, 2009) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced the federal government’s engagement plan for the development of legislative amendments to the registration provisions of the Indian Act in the wake of the landmark ruling of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia in the Sharon McIvor case.

Throughout the late summer and early fall, INAC officials will be meeting with National Aboriginal Organizations and holding engagement sessions across the country. To help in the engagement process, a discussion paper has been developed to explain how the federal government intends to move forward following the McIvor decision and to invite views on the approach.

“We have to act swiftly to meet the Court of Appeal’s ruling to amend the Indian Act,” said Minister Strahl.  “Over the next few months we will be engaging with willing Aboriginal organizations to both provide information and seek input on a legislative solution to the issue outlined by the decision of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia.”

Spurred by a civil lawsuit that Sharon McIvor launched in October 1989, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia ruled on April 6, 2009, that certain registration provisions of the Indian Act are unconstitutional as they violate the equality provision of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Court suspended its declaration for 12 months – to April 6, 2010 – to give Parliament time to amend the Indian Act.

A discussion paper has been developed to explain how the federal government intends to move forward following the McIvor decision and to invite views on the approach. Deadline for views and comments is November 13, 2009.