CAP - Corbiere Compliance - Legislative Stage

In early 2003, the Standing Committee held approximately 60 meetings across the country on Bill C-7.   Presentations were made by over 500 witnesses, including First Nations organizations, community leaders and individuals, as well as other interested participants including legal and church communities.    CAP’s presentation to the Standing Committee, entitled “Its About Fairness” is included as Appendix B.

Bill C-7 underwent the most extensive review in the history of Parliament, with the Standing Committee setting records for the greatest number of hours of deliberation of any bill.  In May, 2003, the Standing Committee reported back to the House of Commons with 51 technical and substantive amendments. 

Unfortunately, Bill C-7 became a casualty of the Liberal leadership selection process that was underway at the same time.  Bill C-7 was abandoned by the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin when he became the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada in November, 2003 and the bill died on the Order Paper when the House of Commons prorogued on November 12, 2003.

Since that time, there has been no further legislative activity by the Government of Canada to complete “Phase II” of the Corbiere initiative and much of the work remains unfinished.