Closing remarks have been given on a private member’s bill aimed at amending the Indian Act.
The bill’s author, Rob Clarke of Desnethe-Missinipi Churchill River, says he is hopeful opposition MPs will support Bill C-428 when it gets voted on December 5th.
“I’m hoping that they will. One of the key points of my private member’s bill — and to take it through the parliamentary process through the private members, is that the formal part of consultation will start at the committee stage and that’s where I’m hoping I can get the participation of First Nations more in depth.”
He adds the language of the opposition has changed from outright rejection to interest in the meaning of it.
Clarke adds First Nations representatives will be able to give feedback at the committee stage but he doesn’t know how long they will have.