Minister’s message
It is an honour to table the fourth annual progress report on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act or UNDA). This historic Act continues to chart the path forward to a future where the human rights of Indigenous peoples, as affirmed in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration or UNDRIP), are recognized and respected, upheld and implemented.
This fourth annual progress report covers our work from April 2024 to March 2025, and tracks the progress made in implementing the UN Declaration Act in line with the roadmap we set out in the Action Plan through 181 measures.
As we do each year, we collaborated with Indigenous partners to shape this report. It presents a comprehensive update from 41 federal departments and agencies, enriched by the insights from 58 Indigenous partners.
In the last year, progress has been made on many Action Plan measures, including:
- Incorporating a non-derogation clause into the federal Interpretation Act, ensuring that all federal laws, including statutes and regulations, are interpreted in a manner that upholds Aboriginal and treaty rights as recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 (Shared Priorities Measure 2)
- Creating an Indigenous-led, independent UN Declaration Act Action Plan Advisory Committee (APAC) to provide the federal government with advice on key measures in the Shared Priorities chapter of the Action Plan, including Indigenous participation in decision-making and mechanisms for oversight and accountability (the APAC will begin its work in the 2025-2026 fiscal year) (Shared Priorities Measure 22)
- Releasing the Indigenous Justice Strategy to address systemic discrimination and reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system (Shared Priorities Measure 28)
- Addressing border crossing challenges faced by Indigenous peoples whose traditional territories are divided by Canada’s colonial borders (Shared Priorities Measure 52)
- Advancing access to federal services in Indigenous languages in alignment with the Indigenous Languages Act (Shared Priorities Measures 91 and 92)
- Co-developing an Indigenous Stewardship Policy requiring Parks Canada to develop Stewardship Plans with Indigenous partners for all protected heritage places it has a role in administering (Shared Priorities Measure 96)
- Addressing on-reserve infrastructure gaps by investing into infrastructure projects on-reserve (First Nations Priorities Measure 15)
- Addressing drinking water advisories in First Nations communities (First Nations Priorities Measure 16)
While our achievements are significant, this report also shows that progress has sometimes been slow or uneven, and that further efforts are needed if we truly want to achieve the objectives of the UN Declaration and advance reconciliation in a tangible way.
Feedback from Indigenous partners highlighted the need for transparent reporting, culturally relevant education, and improved consultation processes that empower communities through co-development and respect for free, prior and informed consent.
The insights provided inspire us to continue to strengthen coordination across departments, support sustainable Indigenous-led initiatives, and honour historic and modern treaty obligations with renewed dedication. We are actively leveraging capacity within the government through collaborative approaches, clear mandates, and meaningful engagement.
Each year, we take more and more steps to fulfil our shared commitment to promote and protect Indigenous rights. Protecting the human rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis is essential to creating a fair, inclusive and equitable Canada for this and future generations.
The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Department of Justice Canada
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