Monday, February 2, 2026
ADVT 
National

MP warns against further Indian Act changes before proper study in House of Commons

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Oct, 2025 08:36 AM
  • MP warns against further Indian Act changes before proper study in House of Commons

A Liberal MP is warning a Senate committee studying changes to the Indian Act that it might end up doing more harm than good if it pursues changes to the Indian Act that were never endorsed by MPs.

The committee is studying legislation that would eliminate some gender inequities in the Indian Act, allowing some 6,000 people to become newly eligible for First Nations status.

Witnesses testifying before the Senate committee have said that while the legislation is a good first step, sex-based discrimination is still baked into the Indian Act and they want senators to make even more people eligible for status.

Liberal MP Jaime Battiste, a member of the House of Commons committee on Indigenous issues, says that while that's a noble goal, the Senate isn't the place to introduce sweeping changes to the law beyond those in the proposed legislation.

Battiste says First Nations identity is a complex topic and extending status to more people without thorough consultations with Indigenous communities isn't the way forward.

He is instead proposing that the committee he sits on study inequities in the Indian Act before bringing forward new legislation to tackle the issue sometime next year.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

MORE National ARTICLES

Advocates call for quotas, reform to boost number of women in Parliament

Advocates call for quotas, reform to boost number of women in Parliament
The Inter-Parliamentary Union now ranks Canada in 71st place in terms of the percentage of women in national parliaments, a steep drop from its 28th place ranking in 2000.

Advocates call for quotas, reform to boost number of women in Parliament

RCMP escort CFIA to execute search warrant on B.C. ostrich farm

RCMP escort CFIA to execute search warrant on B.C. ostrich farm
An RCMP statement says police support is being given to the lead agency, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which has been "granted lawful authority to execute a search warrant."

RCMP escort CFIA to execute search warrant on B.C. ostrich farm

Seven-month Vancouver Island transit strike ends after 'deeply disruptive' dispute

Seven-month Vancouver Island transit strike ends after 'deeply disruptive' dispute
Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside says the end of the strike is welcome news for Cowichan Valley residents, after the "deeply disruptive" dispute.

Seven-month Vancouver Island transit strike ends after 'deeply disruptive' dispute

Carney taps top aide David Lametti to replace Bob Rae as UN ambassador

Carney taps top aide David Lametti to replace Bob Rae as UN ambassador
The Prime Minister's Office announced Thursday that Lametti, a former federal justice minister, will replace former Liberal leader Bob Rae, 77, who has held the role since 2020.

Carney taps top aide David Lametti to replace Bob Rae as UN ambassador

Carney, Sheinbaum sign deal to deepen economic, security ties

Carney, Sheinbaum sign deal to deepen economic, security ties
The agreement — billed as a comprehensive strategic partnership — was signed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City Thursday.

Carney, Sheinbaum sign deal to deepen economic, security ties

Alberta professor put on leave as ripple effects of Charlie Kirk's death continue

Alberta professor put on leave as ripple effects of Charlie Kirk's death continue
The University of Alberta confirmed it had put a law professor on non-disciplinary leave after it became aware of online comments and threats connected with the shooting of Kirk earlier this month.

Alberta professor put on leave as ripple effects of Charlie Kirk's death continue