WINNIPEG — “The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is pleased to see the introduction of Bill C-29, An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation. Establishment of the National Council for Reconciliation is an important step in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

This marks a positive step in ensuring accountability in the nation’s efforts towards the pursuit of reconciliation, however it is important to note that this is just the beginning and more work will need to be done in order to ensure that this oversight body achieves its desired results. 

Creation of the Council addresses CTAs 53 and 54 which call for legislation creating the Council and to provide multi-year funding for its work, including the endowment of a National Reconciliation Trust. This in turn paves the way for the realization of CTAs 55 and 56 which call on all levels of government to provide annual reports and requested data to allow the Council to track the progress towards reconciliation and for the Prime Minister to issue an annual “State of Aboriginal Peoples” report.

The Council will also serve to hold the Government of Canada accountable in its responsibility to advance reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.”

We are hopeful that an Indigenous-led oversight body will be able to advance reconciliation efforts and the NCTR looks forward to working with the newly formed body in the near future. 

— Stephanie Scott, Executive Director, NCTR

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