MCK applauds Liberal government support of Saganash UNDRIP implementation bill

11/22/2017

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke is applauding Canada’s Liberal government for its intention to support NDP Member of Parliament Romeo Saganash’s private member’s bill to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

“This is a major announcement, one we are very pleased to hear about,” said Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “On the surface, this tells us that the government intends to move beyond lip service when it comes to UNDRIP. Digging a bit deeper, the fact that the Liberals are supporting a bill from a member of the opposition may have further significance. We think it bodes well for the future.”

UNDRIP was adopted in 2007, but Canada didn’t adopt it fully until last year by the Trudeau government. The Conservatives, under Stephen Harper, were in power in 2007.

Mr. Saganash, who is Cree, is the MP for Abitibi-Baie James-Nunavik-Eeyou. He presented bill C-262 earlier this year. Though it was initially rejected by the Liberals, C-262 is intended to ensure that Canadian laws are consistent with UNDRIP. An action plan will have to be developed for implementation. The bill will be debated in Parliament on December 5th.