Collaborative Proposal Creation
Create, improve and sponsor proposals in a respectful, fully bilingual environment. Grow proposals in the "Hothouse", for promotion to the "Workshop", to become official GPC policy.
The Indian Sovereignty Act
- Proposal text
- The Federal government will streamline the loan process for First Nations infrastructure and modify the Indian Act to eliminate ISC oversight to address the basic needs of Indigenous people. Replace the text of the Indian Act: section 18(1) with the following: “18 (1) Subject to this Act, reserves are held by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of the respective bands for which they were set apart, and subject to this Act and to the terms of any treaty or surrender.” Replace the text of the Indian Act: section 57(c) with the following: “ (c) providing for the disposition of surrendered mines and surrendered minerals underlying lands in a reserve;” Repeal and replace the following sections of the Indian Act and replace them with identical text that puts the decisions for the use of Indigenous resources and land in the hands of Indigenous Chief and Council Members without requiring the consent of any Federal Ministers or other government agents: Section 18(2), 20(1), 20(2), 23, 24, 25, 51, 60, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 91, 93 Indian Act: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-5/page-1.html
- Type of Proposal
- Public policy that the party would represent
- Objective / Benefit
- A crisis in infrastructure management on Indigenous reserves led to a drinking water catastrophe that left Indigenous people across Canada without access to clean drinking water for years at a time. While the Federal government has taken some actions to mediate the existing crisis, nothing has been done to address the underlying cause of the issue. Indigenous First Nations have to contend with reams of red tape that can add years to the construction of any infrastructure projects on their land. At the same time, access to capital for the development of these projects can be limited in both when funding is available and how it can be spent. In the spirit of Reconciliation, it is time to return sovereignty to the Indigenous peoples.
- If your proposal replaces an existing policy or policies, which one does it replace?
- Indian Act: 18 (1) …the Governor in Council may determine whether any purpose for which lands in a reserve are used or are to be used is for the use and benefit of the band. Indian Act: Section 18(2), 20(1), 20(2), 23, 24, 25, 51, 60, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 91, 93. - These sections give Federal representatives direct veto-power over the use of the resources of Indigenous First Nation Indian Act: 57(c) providing for the disposition of surrendered mines and minerals underlying lands in a reserve.
- List any supporting evidence for your proposal
- "While not referring specifically to KCL, many First Nations told journalists that although cost overruns and delays can affect a variety of infrastructure projects, long-standing federal government procurement policies have forced them to choose the lowest bidders, leaving them with contractors that often aren’t capable of delivering what’s required to ensure clean water on time and on budget. Despite guidelines that suggest preference be given to companies with a clean performance record, Indigenous Services Canada does not track information about companies that receive contracts for water projects in First Nations communities." https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/former-neskantaga-contractor-accused-of-cutting-corners-in-other-first-nations/
- Does this proposal affect any particular group and what efforts have been made to consult with the group or groups?
- Yes, Indigenous People. It is their wish.
- Jurisdiction: Is this proposal under federal jurisdiction?
- Yes
- Please indicate the language the proposal is being submitted in.
- English
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A policy workshop has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm ET. Please visit the policy workshop page to register for the policy workshop: Policy Workshop: Indigenous Policy Proposals
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