OTTAWA (MAY 28, 2008) - The following statement was released by the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians related to Bill C-21:
"I am very pleased that Bill C-21 - our government's legislation that extends real human rights protections to all members of First Nations communities - received Third Reading and passage by the House of Commons today and is now before the Senate.
Bill C-21, an Act to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act is the culmination of a concerted effort by the federal government, Aboriginal groups and individuals, and Parliamentarians to bring an end to a legislative gap that has shamefully left many First Nations people without full access to the Canadian Human Rights Act for 30 years. Our government believes that delivering real human rights to First Nations peoples, as this Bill does, is much more important and tangible than any aspirational document.
I would like to thank all parties who were involved in this historic process. I am confident that Senators will give this bill the priority it deserves.
Through the hard work and dedication of numerous stakeholders, we are now significantly closer to ensuring that all Canadians have full access to fundamental human rights protections."
For further information please contact:
Minister's Office
Josée Bellemare
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160
