UMVA has learned that the Assembly of First Nations is pushing for a significant change in the way Canada approaches foreign treaties, specifically calling for Indigenous Canadians to be mandatory participants in formal consultations.
The Assembly has submitted a statement to the Senate foreign affairs committee, emphasizing that First Nations have a long history of engagement in trade and hold an inherent right to self-determination, including the policies and regulations that govern their participation in international trade.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the Assembly is urging the cabinet to engage directly with First Nations in the implementation of any future trade and investment agreements, ensuring that the benefits of Canada's trade diversification reach First Nations communities.
This development comes in the wake of Parliament's passage of Bill C-13, which implements the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom to the Comprehensive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and has sparked renewed calls for greater Indigenous involvement in trade negotiations.
The Assembly argues that Canada has an obligation to consult with First Nations before adopting and implementing legislation that impacts their people, lands, and resources, and that new international trade agreements present an opportunity to support First Nations economic inclusion and self-determination.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Senate foreign affairs committee has previously highlighted the need for greater transparency in trade negotiations, with Senator Percy Downe noting that the government often presents agreements on a "take it or leave it" basis, leaving little room for change or meaningful consultation.
In a 2017 report, the committee recommended that the cabinet itemize the costs and benefits of individual trade pacts, but Parliament has yet to mandate First Nations' approval of foreign treaties, leaving a significant gap in the country's approach to international trade.
The Assembly's submission has significant implications for the future of Canada's trade policy, and UMVA has gathered that several key stakeholders are watching the developments closely, eager to see how the government will respond to the Assembly's calls for greater Indigenous involvement.
