Today, Chief Glenn Bennett of Kitselas First Nation and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, celebrated the signing of a Consultation Protocol that sets out a clear and effective process to be followed whenever Canada contemplates conduct that may impact the Indigenous rights of Kitselas First Nation.
This Consultation Protocol will strengthen our respectful nation-to-nation relationship and help to establish a formal and streamlined consultation framework. Under this Protocol, Canada and Kitselas will meet in good faith to discuss contemplated federal activity, look at options to avoid or mitigate adverse impacts and establish accommodation measures where appropriate. Canada will work closely with Kitselas to implement this protocol in order to meet its duty to consult.
Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is the responsibility of the Government of Canada on the path toward reconciliation. That includes responding to measure #68 in the action plan: "Co-developing consultation arrangements with Indigenous partners that establish an agreed-upon duty to consult and engagement processes, in a manner that is consistent with self-determination objectives and free, prior and informed consent."
