Bill Detail
An Act to amend the Department of Justice Act
The bill amends the Department of Justice Act to, among other things, require that the Minister of Justice cause to be tabled, for every government bill introduced in either House of Parliament, a statement of the bill’s potential effects on the rights of Indigenous Peoples that are recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Bill S-250, also known as the Indigenous Rights Statement Act, aims to increase transparency and accountability regarding Indigenous rights in federal legislation. It requires the Minister of Justice to table a statement for every government bill introduced in Parliament. This statement must outline the bill's potential effects on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, as recognized by the Constitution, and whether the bill is consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Furthermore, if a bill is expected to impact Indigenous rights, the statement must detail the consultations conducted with affected Indigenous communities or state that no consultations took place. This measure is intended to ensure that Parliamentarians are better informed about the potential consequences of legislation on Indigenous Peoples and to support the government's commitment to implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.