Bill C-15: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

On December 3, 2020, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced Bill C-15, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Introducing legislation to advance full implementation of the Declaration is a key step in renewing the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.

The purpose of this Bill is to affirm the Declaration as a universal international human rights instrument with application in Canadian law and provide a framework for the Government of Canada’s implementation of the Declaration.

Once passed by Parliament, this legislation would require the Government of Canada, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, to:

• take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the Declaration
• prepare and implement an action plan to achieve the Declaration’s objectives
• table an annual report on progress to align the laws of Canada and on the action plan