Specific Claims Action Plan

The unfinished business of specific claims led to the June 12, 2007 announcement  of an action plan to speed up the resolution of these claims. Canada's Specific Claims Action Plan has fundamentally altered the way specific claims are handled, bringing greater fairness, speed and transparency to the process.

Key to this revitalized approach is the creation of an independent Tribunal and practical measures to ensure faster processing by the government.

For more details about this action plan …

• At a glance: the new and improved process
• Learn more about the three-year timeframes
  now in effect
• What has changed? 
• How are claims over $150 million handled?
• Fact Sheet - Mediation Services for Claim Negotiations
  • Frequently Asked Questions - About Mediation Services for Claim Negotiations

The Specific Claims Tribunal

Negotiations will continue to be Canada's first choice for resolving specific claims. However, First Nations can now refer their claims to the independent Tribunal for a binding decision when other options fail. Learn more about the Tribunal.

Canada and the Assembly of First Nations  jointly developed the legislation to establish the Tribunal. This legislation is called the Specific Claims Tribunal Act   . It came into force on October 16, 2008, achieving a goal that has been sought for over sixty years. Read about past calls for a Tribunal.

Background information

• Review a summary of Canada's Specific Claims Action Plan
• Frequently Asked Questions from First Nation claimants about the Specific Claims Tribunal Act.

You may also be interested in these past announcements…

• Read Prime Minister Harper's announcement  about major reforms to address the backlog of specific claims in Canada (June 12, 2007)
• Introduction of the Specific Claims Tribunal Act in the House of Commons (November 27, 2007)
  • Watch a video of the joint event held to celebrate introduction of the Act
  • Read the Political Agreement between the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in relation to specific claims reform
• The Specific Claims Tribunal Act receives Royal Assent. (June 18, 2008)