The House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs met on February 26, 2026, to study Bill C-10, an act respecting the commissioner for modern treaty implementation. Witnesses included Chief Glenn Bennett of Kitselas First Nation, Chief Nicole Rempel of K'ómoks First Nation, Chief Louise Nattawappio and lawyer Christina Caron of the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, Chief Barb Joe of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, and Chief John Jack of Huu-ay-aht First Nations.
Chief Glenn Bennett reported that Kitselas ratified its treaty in April 2025 with 85% approval and 96% voter turnout, and he supported Bill C-10 as a tool for transparency and accountability. He recommended a joint response mechanism for action plans after findings, clear information-sharing processes, direct reporting to Parliament, inclusion of all Canadian treaty partners, and adequate resources for treaty nations to fully engage. He emphasized that relationship-building is key to successful implementation.
Chief Nicole Rempel noted that K'ómoks ratified its treaty in March 2025 with strong majorities, and she stressed that the commissioner's independence from both government and indigenous partners is a core design feature that fills a governance gap. She argued that the commissioner complements the Auditor General by focusing specifically on implementation, providing proactive oversight to prevent small issues from becoming entrenched problems, and reducing reliance on litigation. She disagreed with the suggestion that the bill lacks enforcement teeth, stating that the powers are appropriately balanced and that litigation is a last resort.
Chief Louise Nattawappio affirmed the Naskapi Nation's support for Bill C-10, noting that the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and Northeastern Quebec Agreement were the first modern treaties, signed 50 years ago. She described challenges including lengthy delays with federal departments and having to educate bureaucrats about their self-governing status, and she argued that a commissioner would provide sustained, independent oversight and transparent reporting to address structural gaps. Christina Caron added that the Naskapi treaty lacks evolution chapters, leaving the nation with no leverage to modernize it, and that the commissioner's reports would engage the honour of the Crown and reduce the burden on small nations to document breaches themselves.
Chief Barb Joe stated that Champagne and Aishihik First Nations have been self-governing since 1995 but have not fully implemented their land claims agreement, with many treaty commitments unrealized. She fully supported Bill C-10 without amendments, emphasizing that it was co-drafted with the Land Claims Agreements Coalition over 23 years and that the commissioner must be independent to assess Canada's obligations and report to Parliament. She argued that the commissioner would help break down departmental silos and that implementation requires a whole-of-government approach, not just CIRNAC's responsibility.
Chief John Jack noted that Huu-ay-aht First Nations are approaching 15 years of self-government under the Maa-nulth final agreement and supported Bill C-10 without substantive amendment as a co-developed, non-partisan product. He argued that federal implementation has been uneven and poorly coordinated, and that a dedicated commissioner would provide continuous, impartial oversight to resolve problems before they escalate, unlike the Auditor General's broader mandate. He emphasized that the commissioner's reports, with mandatory government responses, would provide leverage for negotiation and reduce reliance on costly, adversarial court proceedings.
The committee agreed to add an additional witness from the Yukon to the study.
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