Hot Issues

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is about the human rights of Indigenous peoples. It provides a roadmap for reconciliation, healing, and cooperative relations.
The Act adopted in the last Parliament creates a framework to help implement the Declaration at the federal level. Specifically, it commits the Government to collaborate with Indigenous peoples to align federal laws with the Declaration; develop an action plan to achieve its objectives; and report annually on progress.
As the next step, the Government of Canada will engage with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners.
Together, we will identify priorities for aligning federal laws with the Declaration over time and potential measures for an action plan, including measures to address violence, racism, and discrimination.

The identification of unmarked and undocumented graves of Indigenous children at residential schools causes us all to reflect on Canada’s history and the dark legacy of the Indian Residential School system.
I am committed to working with Indigenous peoples and communities, as well as with provincial and territorial governments, to identify measures needed to address this important issue.
We will continue to work collaboratively with Indigenous peoples and communities on the selection and mandate of a special interlocutor, as announced in August 2021.

Canada’s judiciary is renowned and respected for its independence. We are committed to appointing outstanding jurists on the basis of merit who reflect the people they serve.
Canadians’ confidence in our judiciary is reinforced by a transparent and accountable selection process that identifies outstanding judicial candidates who reflect Canada’s diversity and a gender balance.

Dr. Hassan Diab’s surrender to France took place after the completion of extensive extradition proceedings that included judicial reviews of the extradition decision by the appellate courts in Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Because extradition requests are confidential state-to-state communications, I cannot confirm or deny the existence of any request until made public by the courts.

The Government of Canada is committed to keeping all Canadians safe, while protecting their rights and freedoms.
Canada’s Criminal Code contains provisions that address hate propaganda and crimes motivated out of hatred based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression, among other criteria.
The Criminal Code also prohibits terrorism, all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
Together with my colleague, the Minister of Heritage, we will continue to explore ways to eliminate the most harmful online content and ensure that Canadians have access to appropriate tools and resources to seek recourse against harmful content online.
The Government plans to bring forward legislation to better protect all Canadians from online harms.

Violent crimes involving firearms are a growing threat to public safety in our communities.
The Criminal Code and related regulations promote public safety by responding to the criminal use of firearms, while permitting the lawful possession and use of firearms, including for hunting, target shooting, and gun collecting.
We are committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians, and I will continue working with my colleague the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to take further action to combat firearms violence.

Questions should be referred to my colleague the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a dynamic public health situation in Canada, particularly with more transmissible and more dangerous variants of concern.
Vaccines are the best way to bring this pandemic to an end by reducing the risk of COVID-19.
Our plan respects the current law, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Privacy Act.
Our plan is also subject to ongoing consultations with key stakeholders, including bargaining agents, employers, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
As the country’s largest employer, the Government of Canada is leading by example on vaccination to protect the health and safety of public servants and the communities where they live and work.

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