Next steps

The Justice-led consultation and cooperation strategy is two-phased. The first phase (from December 2021 to December 2022) focused on the identification of priorities and potential measures for a draft Action Plan. After a policy period, this ‘What We Learned to Date’ report and draft Action Plan are now being released.

The second phase (March to early May 2023) will focus on validation of the proposed measures in the draft Action Plan and the identification of any gaps and additional measures required by Indigenous partners.

The process also involves work with Indigenous partners on possible measures to ensure the consistency of the laws of Canada with the Declaration, and to prepare annual progress reports on the implementation of the Act.

During both phases, Indigenous peoples and their representative organizations and governments are leading their own dialogues and consultations with their citizens and members to determine their respective priorities for implementation of the Act.

While engagement sessions during Phase 1 focused on the identification of priorities to include in the Action Plan and on possible measures to ensure the consistency of laws of Canada with the Declaration, those held during Phase 2 will be dedicated to the validation of the measures included in the draft Action Plan. Collaborative work between Indigenous partners and government departments will also continue to finalize Action Plan measure language.

In parallel to the consultation and cooperation dialogues with Indigenous partners, provincial and territorial governments have been kept informed of the advancement of the Act’s implementation through bilateral updates, and through existing federal-provincial-territorial fora. In addition, information-sharing sessions on process were held with industry stakeholders during Phase 1. Additional roundtable information sessions are planned during the second phase.

During both phases, Indigenous individuals and groups may submit written submissions, without a pre-established format, to Justice Canada at declaration@justice.gc.ca.