Senators Call For Body To Oversee Band Elections

Senators Call For Body To Oversee Band Elections

Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 11:09

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples is urging the federal government to create an independent body to monitor First Nations elections and appeals.

A committee report released today says Indian Affairs should take immediate steps to create a First Nations Electoral and Appeals Commission.

The report suggests that the existing two-year term of office imposed on First Nations by the Indian Act is too short to provide political and economic stability — and often creates deep divisions in communities.

The committee is calling for a firm commitment from Indian Affairs to assist First Nations who currently hold elections under the Indian Act to revert to band custom or community-based election codes.

The report concludes there is need for clear targets and timelines for the reversion to community band election codes.

It also says that sufficient funding needs to be made available for First Nations currently under band custom elections to update their codes to be consistent with Canadian law and effective governance practices.