Introduction

In 1977, Parliament passed the Canadian Human Rights Act in order to ensure that all areas of federal jurisdiction are free from discrimination on the basis race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, disability or pardoned conviction.  In 1996, sexual orientation was added by Parliament to the list.These are referred to as “enumerated grounds” and they are specified in the Canadian Human Rights Act

There was one notable exception to the application of the Canadian Human Rights Act and that is the Indian Act, and all activities of the federal government and Band Councils that originate from the Indian Act.  This exception, known as Section 67,  was granted in recognition of the fact that there was already court action underway related to women’s rights, and to accommodate the need for consultation and the development of transitional provisions related to Indian Act matters.

On December 13, 2006, the Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development introduced legislation into the House of Commons to repeal Section 67.   The legislation was known as Bill C-44. That Bill died on the order paper when the House of Commons prorogued on September 14, 2007.

On November 13, 2007, the Hon. Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, introduced a new bill to the House of Commons, Bill C-21, which replaced Bill C-44.

Section 67 In The News
(External Links, Use Back Button to Return)

• Canadian Human Rights Commission - Released Report: "Still A Matter of Rights" - January 2008
• House of Commons of Canada: Bill C-21 - An Act to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act - Tabled November 13, 2007
• NWAC - Repeal of S.67 Requires Consultations and Resources - Ottawa, ON, November 16, 2007.
• Bill C-21 - The AFNQL asks for a year delay - Wendake, QC, November 16, 2007
• One Size Doesn't Fit All, by Joseph Quesnel - Winnipeg Sun, September 8, 2007
• Band's Drug Testing Could Violate Human Rights, Fisher Creek - CBC News, July 27, 2007
• Parlimentary Committee returns from recess to debate rights of First Nation bill - Ottawa Citizen, July 25, 2007
• "Native women slam proposed rights bill" - Ottawa Citizen, July 24, 2007
• "Slow down on native rights bill, Tories told" - National Post, July 24, 2007

.

Section 67 Resources and Background Materials

Canadian Human Rights Act

Canadian Human Rights Commission – A Matter of Rights

Former Chief Brazeau’s presentation to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development