The Government of Canada consults with Canadians on matters of interest and concern to them. Consulting is an important part of good governance, sound policy development and decision-making. In addition to good governance objectives, Canada has common law obligations to consult with Aboriginal groups.

The Crown has a legal duty to consult and, if appropriate, accommodate, when contemplating conduct that might adversely impact potential or established section 35 or Treaty rights as stated by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Haida and Taku River decisions. The duty to consult has since been reaffirmed and expanded upon in the Little Salmon and Rio Tinto decisions.

The duty to consult has become an important part of the government's daily activities including regulatory project approvals, licensing and authorization of permits, operational decisions, policy development, negotiations, legislative processes, and more.

What information is available?

In 2007, the Government launched the Action Plan on Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation to build greater consistency and coordination when fulfilling the legal duty to consult.

Find out more about consultation and accommodation at Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and how we have accomplished all of the Action Plan objectives we set out to achieve.