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CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION FOR ABORIGINAL CANADIANS

Ottawa (December 13, 2006) – The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today introduced legislation to repeal section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Introduction of the bill is the first step to ensuring that all Canadians have equal access to human rights protections, and to empowering First Nations individuals with the ability to seek recourse. The proposed legislation is a tangible example of this Government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life of Aboriginal people.

“Since its inception, section 67 has been the subject of numerous calls for repeal, including calls from the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the Canadian Human Rights Commission, as well as from Canada's national Aboriginal organizations,” said Minister Prentice. “Today, this Government is moving forward to finally repeal section 67 to ensure that all Aboriginal people have the same access to human rights protections as all other Canadians.”

Under the existing system, individuals, largely Aboriginal persons living and working on reserves are prevented from filing complaints of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act in cases that involve actions taken or decisions made under the Indian Act. As a result, since 1977, First Nations people have been denied full access to human rights protections which other segments of Canadian society have taken for granted.

“The repeal of section 67 represents an important step in furthering and enhancing the individual human rights protections enjoyed by all Canadians,” said the Honourable Vic Toews, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

"Now that full human rights protection is being extended to all First Nations people, the Canadian Human Rights Commission will act quickly to open discussions with those communities on how best to implement this much-needed change," said Commissioner David Langtry of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

The Government of Canada has already undertaken other initiatives to address rights and empower First Nations people including: the ongoing consultations towards finding a legislative solution to the issues of matrimonial real property on reserves; support for family violence prevention programs and shelters; and legislation to enable First Nations to assume meaningful control over on-reserve elementary and secondary schools in British Columbia. The repeal of section 67 will build on these initiatives and strengthen individual rights in Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
819-997-0002

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Media Relations
(819) 953-1160

Justice Canada
Media Relations
(613) 957-4207

Backgrounder - Repeal of Section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act