National Council for Reconciliation
Learn how the Government of Canada is responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 53 to 56.
Based on data provided April 2024.
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.
What's happening?
Background
In December 2017, the Prime Minister announced the creation of an independent, Indigenous-led Interim Board of Directors to provide advice on the creation of the National Council for Reconciliation. Following research and engagement, the Interim Board provided recommendations in June 2018, which informed the development of a draft legislative framework for the National Council for Reconciliation. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations appointed members to a Transitional Committee in December 2021 to continue the Interim Board's work. The Transitional Committee reviewed the draft legislative framework, conducted targeted engagement with technical experts and, in March 2022, made recommendations on the core elements of legislation to establish the National Council for Reconciliation. Both the Interim Board and the Transitional Committee built on and respected the work conducted by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, including its extensive engagement activities.
Bill C-29 was developed based on the recommendations of the Interim Board and the Transitional Committee. It was tabled in Parliament in June 2022. The House and Senate heard from witnesses, including National Indigenous Organizations, other Indigenous organizations and experts, whose testimony strengthened the Bill, which received Royal Assent on April 30, 2024.
Current Status
On April 30, 2024, Bill C-29, an Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation, received Royal Assent, fulfilling Call to Action 53. The legislation ensures that the National Council for Reconciliation will be an independent, Indigenous-led organization mandated to advance reconciliation in Canada. One important function of the National Council for Reconciliation will be to hold the Government of Canada accountable for fulfilling their commitments regarding reconciling the relationship with Indigenous people.
Recent budget investments
Budget 2019 announced a total of $126.5 million to support the establishment of the National Council for Reconciliation, which includes a $125 million endowment and $1.5 million to support the first year of operations.
Recent progress
The Bill received Royal Assent on April 30, 2024.
Next steps
The Transitional Committee and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations will jointly select the National Council for Reconciliation's first board of directors as stipulated in the Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation. The Transitional Committee will then incorporate the National Council for Reconciliation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. This will establish the National Council as an independent, Indigenous-led, non-political organization, working to advance reconciliation.
54. We call upon the Government of Canada to provide multi-year funding for the National Council for Reconciliation to ensure that it has the financial, human, and technical resources required to conduct its work, including the endowment of a National Reconciliation Trust to advance the cause of reconciliation.
What's happening?
The Government of Canada announced $126.5 million in Budget 2019 to support the establishment and operation of the National Council for Reconciliation. This includes $125 million for an endowment and $1.5 million to support the first year of the National Council's operations.
Recent Progress
Bill C-29, an Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation, received Royal Assent on April 30 2024.
Next steps
The Transitional Committee and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations will jointly select the National Council for Reconciliation's first board of directors. The Transitional Committee will then incorporate the National Council for Reconciliation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. This will establish the National Council as an independent not-for profit organization in a position to receive the funds allocated in Budget 2019.
55. We call upon all levels of government to provide annual reports or any current data requested by the National Council for Reconciliation so that it can report on the progress towards reconciliation. The reports or data would include, but not be limited to:
- The number of Aboriginal children—including Métis and Inuit children—in care, compared with non-Aboriginal children, the reasons for apprehension, and the total spending on preventive and care services by child-welfare agencies.
- Comparative funding for the education of First Nations children on and off reserves.
- The educational and income attainments of Aboriginal peoples in Canada compared with non-Aboriginal people.
- Progress on closing the gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in a number of health indicators such as: infant mortality, maternal health, suicide, mental health, addictions, life expectancy, birth rates, infant and child health issues, chronic diseases, illness and injury incidence, and the availability of appropriate health services.
- Progress on eliminating the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in youth custody over the next decade.
- Progress on reducing the rate of criminal victimization of Aboriginal people, including data related to homicide and family violence victimization and other crimes.
- Progress on reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in the justice and correctional systems.
What's happening?
The National Council for Reconciliation will be incorporated as an independent, Indigenous-led, not-for-profit organization mandated to advance reconciliation. One of its functions will be to monitor and report on progress towards reconciliation, including the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
The Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation specifies reporting requirements for the federal government. This includes providing the National Council with an annual status report on the indicators identified in Call to Action 55 within 6 months after the end of each financial year. These indicators relate to issues such as:
- children in care
- funding for education
- educational and income attainments
- health
- youth in custody
- criminal victimization
- justice and correctional systems
Work to address Call to Action 55 is led by Crown Indigenous-Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. The department is working internally and with other departments to meet the requirement in the Act to prepare an annual report to the Council on Call to Action 55.
Recent Budget Investments
The Government of Canada announced in Budget 2019 that $126.5 million was allocated to support the establishment of the National Council for Reconciliation. This includes a $125 million endowment and $1.5 million to support the first year of the National Council's initial operations.
Recent Progress
Bill C-29 received Royal Assent on April 30, 2024.
Next steps
The federal government will prepare to provide the National Council, once incorporated, with an annual report providing information regarding the indicators identified in the Act. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada will work intra- and inter-departmentally to meet this obligation.
56. We call upon the Prime Minister of Canada to formally respond to the report of the National Council for Reconciliation by issuing an annual "State of Aboriginal Peoples" report, which would outline the government's plans for advancing the cause of reconciliation.
What's happening?
As per the National Council for Reconciliation Act, the Council will be an independent, Indigenous-led, not-for-profit organization mandated to advance reconciliation. One of its functions will be to monitor and report on progress towards reconciliation, including the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
The Act requires the Council to submit to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations an annual report on the Government of Canada's progress towards reconciliation and the progress toward reconciliation across all levels of government and sectors of Canadian society. The report is to include the National Council's recommendations regarding measures to promote, prioritize and coordinate reconciliation in all sectors of Canadian society and by all governments of Canada.
The Act specifies that the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations must cause a copy of the National Council's annual report to be laid before each House of Parliament. The Prime Minister, on behalf of the Government of Canada, must respond to matters addressed by the National Council's report that are under the jurisdiction of Parliament by publishing a report on the state of Indigenous Peoples that outlines the Government of Canada's plans for advancing reconciliation.
Recent Budget Investments
The Government of Canada announced in Budget 2019 that $126.5 million was allocated to support the establishment of the National Council for Reconciliation. This includes a $125 million endowment and $1.5 million to support the first year of the National Council's initial operations.
Recent progress
Bill C-29 received Royal Assent on April 30, 2024.
Next steps
The Transitional Committee and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations will jointly select the Council's first board. The Council will be incorporated as an independent not-for-profit organization.
The Prime Minister of Canada will respond to the National Council's annual report by publishing an annual report on the state of Indigenous Peoples.