Call to Action # 53

We call upon the Parliament of Canada, in consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to enact legislation to establish a National Council for Reconciliation. The legislation would establish the council as an independent, national, oversight body with membership jointly appointed by the Government of Canada and national Aboriginal organizations, and consisting of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members. Its mandate would include, but not be limited to, the following: 

  1. Monitor, evaluate, and report annually to Parliament and the people of Canada on the Government of Canada’s post-apology progress on reconciliation to ensure that government accountability for reconciling the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Crown is maintained in the coming years. 
  2. Monitor, evaluate, and report to Parliament and the people of Canada on reconciliation progress across all levels and sectors of Canadian society, including the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. 
  3. Develop and implement a multi-year National Action Plan for Reconciliation, which includes research and policy development, public education programs, and resources. 
  4. Promote public dialogue, public/private partnerships, and public initiatives for reconciliation.

Why “In Progress”?

April 30, 2024:Bill C-29 An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation received Royal Assent

June 22, 2022 – “Bill C-29, National Council for Reconciliation Act” introduced in Parliament. If passed, the Bill tabled today would enable creation of the National Council for Reconciliation to fulfill Call to Action 53.

Jan. 19, 2022: Following their inaugural meeting on December 16, 2021, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is announcing that an Indigenous-led Transitional Committee has been established. The Committee has already begun their work through discussions on the vision for the Council, identified key milestones and timelines, as well as a proposed engagement approach.

The Committee will engage with various groups as well as provinces and territories on the legislative framework for the National Council for Reconciliation, and will provide advice and recommendations to the Minister. The Committee will set up the Council’s first Board of Directors, and establish the Council as an Indigenous-led, non-political organization, working to advance reconciliation. The Transitional Committee members will be responsible for:

  • developing the Terms of Reference of the board for the National Council on Reconciliation;
  • formally constituting the National Council for Reconciliation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act;
  • leading engagements; and
  • providing their recommendations on the draft legal framework before tabling in Parliament.

The interim Board appointed by Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada on December 14, 2017 submitted their Final Report on June 12, 2018 with their advice and recommendations on the National Council for Reconciliation and the related endowment fund, fulfilling their six-month mandate. 

Budget 2019 allocated a one-time funding commitment of $127M for 2020 – 2021 fiscal year, considerably less than the $1B that the Interim Board recommended.

Current Status

Complete

Call to Action
last updated

May 02, 2024


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