Third Annual Progress Report on UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TRADITIONAL TERRITORY – Protecting the human rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis is essential to creating a fair, inclusive, and equitable society where everyone can live with dignity, authenticity, and safety.

On June 18, the Honorable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada tabled the third annual progress report on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act). The report tracks the federal government's progress in implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) in Canada by following our roadmap: the UN Declaration Act Action Plan, released in June 2023.

The perspectives of more than 50 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis rights holders and representative organizations and reporting from over 40 federal government departments and agencies form the foundation of this year's report.

Highlights of progress made on Action Plan measures this year include:

Developing an Indigenous Justice Strategy to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system (Shared Priorities Measure 28)

advancing water and wastewater service transfer to First Nations communities, including through the introduction of Bill C-61, An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater, and related infrastructure on First Nation lands (First Nations Priorities Measure 17)

consulting with Indigenous partners and representative organizations on border-crossing challenges long faced by Indigenous peoples whose traditional territories are divided by colonial borders (Shared Priorities Measure 52)

revitalizing Indigenous languages by continuing to implement the Indigenous Languages Act (Shared Priorities Measure 92)

ensuring consideration of Aboriginal and Treaty rights in all federal laws (Shared Priorities Measure 2 – non-derogation clause)

This year's report also identifies key areas for improvement going forward. These include the need for better coordination across the federal government, respectful yet efficient timelines for collaborative work, and developing performance measures to better evaluate progress, adequate funding, and clear accountability.

While progress has been made, there is much more work ahead, and all parties recognize the urgency to act and do more. In the year ahead, we look forward to working with Indigenous partners across all government departments and agencies to accelerate and improve the implementation of the UN Declaration Act.

We all have a role to play in upholding the human rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Together, we can build a more inclusive, harmonious, and prosperous Canada for all.

"The UN Declaration Act and the related Action Plan are key parts of the roadmap to reconciliation. They help guide Canada's collaborative efforts with Indigenous partners to address the harmful legacies of colonization and build renewed relationships based on a fundamental respect for Indigenous rights. While much remains to be done, I am looking forward to advancing this transformative work together, said The Honorable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

The Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, stated, "First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have long called on Canada to address mobility rights across international borders with the United States and Greenland. These borders have impacted families and communities for generations and impeded their ability to build and maintain connections across their traditional territories. Indigenous mobility rights remain a top priority, and we will continue to consult and collaborate with Indigenous peoples on this front as part of our commitment to reconciliation."