Urge Senators to support the UN Declaration Act
Join KAIROS in urging all Senators to vote in favour of Bill C-262, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. KAIROS is part of a Coalition of Faith Based Organizations* that is focused on ensuring that the Bill is enacted.
Passed overwhelmingly in the House of Commons on May 30, Bill C-262 will ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the UN Declaration.
Senator Murray Sinclair introduced Bill C-262 in the Senate in June. It is now in second reading. Senators returned to the Chamber on September 17.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada identified the UN Declaration as “the framework for reconciliation at all levels and across all sectors of Canadian society.”
This Act will provide a principled and pragmatic framework for achieving this goal.
Passage of Bill C-262 will establish a legislative framework requiring the federal government to work in consultation and cooperation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to develop a national action plan for implementation of the Declaration. The Bill also includes a collaborative process to reform federal laws and policies, and to report regularly to Parliament on the progress made.
Please take action!
Send a letter to all Senators urging their support for Bill C-262. Visit the Mennonite Central Committee Canada website to access the letter, include your name and contact details and click SEND NOW. Your letter will be distributed to all senators.
On social media? Share a message via Twitter or Facebook, inviting others to send a letter. Suggested hashtags: #C262 #UNDRIP #ReconciliACTION #Indigenous #cdnpoli
Background and resources
KAIROS has closely followed Bill C-262’s journey since MP Romeo Saganash introduced it in the House of Commons in April 2016 as a private members bill. Working to have the Bill enacted into law is part of KAIROS’ Let Justice Roll campaign. To learn more, visit: Campaign on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Bill C-262 passed third reading in the House of Commons on May 30, 2018 with 206 Members of Parliament voting in favour and 79 against.
For more information on the Bill and the UN Declaration, visit the following:
Questions and Answers about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Mennonite Central Committee Canada
Free, Prior and Informed Consent
Interpreting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Myths and Misrepresentations: The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples & Bill C-262
Understanding and Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: An Introductory Handbook
Coalition of Faith Communities:
- Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers)
- Christian Peacemaker Teams – Indigenous Peoples Solidarity
- KAIROS Canada: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
- Mennonite Church Canada – Indigenous-Settler Relations
- Mennonite Central Committee National Indigenous Neighbors Program
