May 2, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples is our most important one. As partners with the original inhabitants and stewards of Canada’s lands and waters, we know that we need to make good on our commitments and responsibilities. This starts with trust, transparency, and accountability.
As part of Canada’s constitutional framework, Modern Treaties have been fundamental to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples for almost half a century. They promote strong and sustainable Indigenous communities, while affirming Indigenous rights over lands, waters, and resources. For over 20 years, Indigenous Modern Treaty Partners have been calling for improved independent oversight so that the federal government is held accountable for its obligations under Modern Treaties.
Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was joined by Indigenous Modern Treaty Partners and Self-Governing Indigenous Governments at the second Intergovernmental Leaders’ Forum, to announce the creation of an independent oversight body headed by a new Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation.
The creation of this new role is a major milestone and transformative shift in the Crown-Indigenous Modern Treaty relationship. The Commissioner will work to hold the Government of Canada accountable for its Modern Treaty obligations and advance key priorities. Additionally, the Commissioner will help ensure the federal government is held accountable for living up to the commitments in Modern Treaties and, more importantly, the nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government relationships they embody. Budget 2024 will be providing $10.6 million over four years to support the functions of the Commissioner and to stand up the office.
