Yesterday, December 3, 2020, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced in Parliament Bill C-15, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The purpose of this Bill is to affirm the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Declaration) as a universal, international, human [...]
In 1973, the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that unextinguished Aboriginal title continued to exist in parts of Canada, though at the time the interest was considered to be a right held by Indigenous communities to simply to possess (not necessarily exclusively) and use the lands. This right was also considered to be subject [...]
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, protects the existing Aboriginal rights of the “aboriginal peoples of Canada”, which includes the Métis. Aboriginal rights are modern-day practices, customs or traditions that are integral to Indigenous communities today and have their roots in the community’s practices, customs and traditions prior to contact with explorers and [...]
Aboriginal rights are modern-day practices, customs or traditions that are integral to Indigenous communities today and have their roots in the community’s practices, customs and traditions prior to contact with explorers and traders arriving from Europe. Although traceable to pre-contact practices, the practice protected today will not be frozen in its historical form, and [...]
August 9, 2017, marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. On this day and everyday, Westaway Law Group celebrates indigenous peoples across Canada and across the globe. Happy International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples!
Summary The Government of Canada recognizes that: All relations with Indigenous peoples need to be based on the recognition and implementation of their right to self-determination, including the inherent right of self-government. Reconciliation is a fundamental purpose of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. The honour of the Crown guides the conduct of the [...]
The Report of the Expert Panel on the Modernization of the National Energy Board released its report with recommendations and advice. The Government of Canada is accepting comments on the report for 30 days, until June 14, 2017. Read the full report here
The Final Report of the Expert Panel for the Review of Environmental Assessment Processes has been released. Read the full report here:
