Rescind the Natural Resources Transfer Acts to recognize Indigenous Nations’ legal interests in their lands.

Proposal text

The Green Party of Canada calls on the federal government to rescind the Natural Resources Transfer Acts, and open a consultation with Indigenous Nations who have an interest in the Natural Resources in their territories.

Type of Proposal

Public policy that the party would represent

Objective / Benefit

The 94 Calls to Action recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls on the government to “reconcile Aboriginal and Crown constitutional and legal orders to ensure that Aboriginal peoples are full partners in Confederation.” Moreover, one of the principles upheld by UNDRIP is Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), which requires that resources used on lands traditionally stewarded by Indigenous peoples cannot be developed without participation and consultation with the Indigenous population. The Natural Resources Transfer Act is in clear violation of UNDRIP and ignores the 94 Calls to Action and recommendations made in the 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

If your proposal replaces an existing policy or policies, which one does it replace?

N/A

List any supporting evidence for your proposal

Sommers, J., & Procter, A. (2023, June 19). Legislating Broken Promises: Canada's Natural Resources Transfer Agreement Today. NiCHE. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://niche-canada.org/2023/06/19/legislating-broken-promises-canadas-natural-resources-transfer-agreement-today/

Submission of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) on Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. (n.d.). ohchr. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/IPeoples/EMRIP/FPIC/AssemblyFirstNations_Canada.pdf

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. (n.d.). Gov.bc.ca. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf

Does this proposal affect any particular group and what efforts have been made to consult with the group or groups?

While the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are directly opposed to rescinding the Act, claiming Ottawa has no jurisdiction, the Green Party of Canada remains the only party to have a policy calling for rescinding the Doctrine of Discovery and continuously stands in support of Indigenous rights with a commitment to dealing on a Nation-to-Nation basis with Indigenous Peoples.

Jurisdiction: Is this proposal under federal jurisdiction?

Yes

Please indicate the language the proposal is being submitted in.

English