Ottawa Granted Extention to Amend Indian Act

Ottawa Granted Extention to Amend Indian Act

Tuesday, April 06, 2010 at 15:04

The Canadian government has been granted an extension in the length of time it has to amend the Indian Act.

Ottawa was originally supposed to amend the act sometime today.

A court in British Columbia ruled last year that wording in the act discriminates against the descendants of First Nations women.

The government now has until July 5th to get new legislation, that has already been proposed, through parliament.

The legislation is currently in second reading in the House of Commons.

The government says Bill C-3 will ensure that eligible grandchildren of women who lost status as a result of marrying non-native men will become entitled to Indian Status in accordance with the Indian Act.

Ottawa acknowledges a legislative gap still exists in B.C. but intends to find a solution.