Training of Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult

As part of the Action Plan on Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) provides training sessions for federal officials on fulfilling the Crown’s legal duty to consult with and, where appropriate, to accommodate Aboriginal groups.

To support Crown coordination and the fulfillment of its duty, to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal peoples and further reconciliation objectives, these training sessions provide guidance on:

• consultation requirements;
• sources of information on Aboriginal and Treaty rights;
• analysis of Crown conduct;
• adverse impacts and assessment of scope of consultation and extent of accommodation;
• treaties;
• agreements;
• key elements of consultation processes;
• case law as it relates to the duty to consult; and
• etc.

At the end of 2011, close to 1,850 federal employees have been trained to meaningfully consult and, where appropriate, accommodate Aboriginal groups, guided by principles of good faith, respect, and transparency.

Moving Forward After the Action Plan

AANDC continues to provide training to federal officials and has now launched a second phase of training sessions to strengthen the capacity of federal officials to assess consultation requirements, develop approaches, coordinate efficiently, evaluate the adequacy of consultation and determine appropriate accommodation measures. Training and tools are being tailored to meet the needs of sectors and regions. Information sessions for industry representatives are also being planned.

Additional Information:

• Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult