Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act at NRCan

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is leading/co-leading four measures in the UN Declaration Act Action Plan related to the natural resources sector. NRCan continues to consult and cooperate with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, as well as to work with industry and provinces and territories on the implementation of these measures.

Please continue to monitor this page for updates and to stay up to date on opportunities to take part in the conversation.

Shared priorities action plan measure 12

Safe and secure resource development for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

In consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, the Government of Canada is partnering with Indigenous communities and organizations, industry, other federal departments and provinces and territories to take action to:

• increase safety and security of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people at all stages of resource project development
• empower Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people to influence and equitably benefit from resource development through increased participation across disciplines and occupations, leadership positions and throughout the supply chain
• partner and pathfind with other federal departments to identify whole of government responses to mitigate the impacts of resource development projects on Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

UN Declaration themes and articles

Articles 2, 7(2), 15(2), 17, 21(2), 22, and 44 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Calls for Justice 13.1 to 13.5 of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Shared priorities action plan measure 32

Guidance for engaging with Indigenous Peoples on natural resources projects, including free, prior and informed consent

In consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, the Government of Canada will work towards developing guidance on engaging with Indigenous Peoples on natural resources projects including in collaboration with provinces, territories, and industry, that:

• aligns with the UN Declaration, including Article 32(2), which calls for consultation and cooperation in good faith with the Indigenous Peoples concerned in order to obtain free, prior and informed consent, prior to the approval of any project affecting their lands or territories and other resources
• provides practical recommendations for successful free, prior and informed consent implementation (including in situations where multiple regulatory processes are involved) consistent with the outcome(s) of action plan measure 66
• supports the integration of specific, localized knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples in the design and governance of projects
• informs improved and enhanced engagement processes with Indigenous Peoples on natural resources projects

UN Declaration themes and articles

Articles 18, 19, 20, 27, 28, 29, and 32 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Shared priorities action plan measure 33

Economic participation of Indigenous Peoples and their communities in natural resource development, including through the National Benefits-Sharing Framework

The development and implementation of actions to increase the economic participation of Indigenous Peoples and their communities in natural resource development, including through the National Benefits-Sharing Framework. The Framework will aim to ensure that First Nations and Métis Nation communities directly benefit from natural resource projects in their territories, and that Inuit communities benefit from natural resource projects in Inuit Nunangat.

UN Declaration themes and articles

Articles 10, 19, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 32 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Progress

NRCan launched a national engagement process in Fall 2023 to engage broadly with rightsholders, Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners across the country, including industry and provincial and territorial governments to lay the groundwork for a National Benefits-Sharing Framework.

Shared priorities action plan measure 34

Indigenous participation in decision-making, including measures to enable Indigenous Peoples to exercise federal regulatory authorities currently regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER)

In consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, the Government of Canada will work First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments and organizations to (i) enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in, and (ii) set the measures that could enable them to exercise federal regulatory authority in respect of, projects and matters that are currently regulated by the CER. Implementation of this measure is being co-led by the CER.

The actions identified through this measure will help advance the longer-term vision and path for the recognition of Indigenous governing bodies, and the development of Indigenous decision-making institutions, to exercise regulatory authorities over projects and matters that are currently regulated by the CER.

UN Declaration themes and articles

Articles 18, 19 and 32 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Related links

• NRCan’s journey’s towards implementing the UN Declaration
• Participate in shaping the National Benefits - Sharing Framework
• Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act
• Annual reports on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• Backgrounder – Natural Resource Sector