May 28, 2008
THE CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA - A contentious bill to extend human rights protections to First Nations has passed the House of Commons.
The Conservative bill would allow First Nation members to make formal complaints against band councils or Ottawa. Reserves have been largely barred from such action since the Canadian Human Rights Act was passed in 1977.
What was supposed to be a temporary exemption to allow bands to prepare for such complaints was never removed.
More than 30 years later, the bill to close that loophole is on its way to the Senate where it must pass to become law.
The legislation was on hold for several months until the Conservatives agreed to several opposition changes: they include a three-year phase-in period and clauses to protect collective native rights.
The government originally wanted the legislation to take effect in six months.
Native leaders from across Canada said the bill in its original form gave cash-strapped First Nations too little time to prepare for potentially costly complaints.
They also said the government failed to consult them.
James Morton
1100 - 5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
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