ARCHIVED – Consulting and cooperating with Indigenous Peoples on border mobility
The introduction of international borders has seriously affected First Nations, Inuit and Métis living on their traditional territories. Legislation and policy related to borders and mobility rights have an important impact on:
- families
- governance
- traditional practices
- language preservation
- kinship
- cultural ties
- economic opportunities
This is especially true for those in communities near, or divided by, these borders.
Actions to address border challenges on Indigenous communities
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) manage the legislative right to enter and remain in Canada.
We are working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments and representative organizations to put Action Plan Measure 52 in place. This is one of the shared priorities under the United Nations Declaration Act (UNDA) Action Plan, which was released on June 21, 2023.
In consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples and organizations, we will
- work to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, relevant regulations and policies, including Canada’s right of entry provision, and work and study permit requirements
What this means: This will start to address complex border crossing and migration challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples divided by Canada’s international borders.
- consult and cooperate with Indigenous Peoples and organizations that represent them to implement Action Plan Measure 52
What this means: We aim to make legislative amendments and policy reforms in 2024. At the same time, we will continue discussions with international partners on Indigenous border crossing issues.
(adapted from the United Nations Declaration Act Action Plan)
See the full context and read more about Indigenous border mobility in Canada.
How we’re consulting and cooperating with Indigenous Peoples on border mobility
To further improve mobility across borders for Indigenous Peoples, we will:
- consult and cooperate with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to better understand the issues
- reflect on what we heard to develop recommendations for future legislative and policy changes
We are currently engaging in nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government discussions about border mobility. In addition, from October 2023 to January 2024, we will invite Indigenous partners and the organizations that represent them to take part in Regional Roundtables, and share their contributions on border mobility with us. If you’re not part of the Roundtables, you can give feedback via email or regular mail.
More about Indigenous border mobility
- Crossing the Canada-U.S. border with a status card
- 2023–2028 UNDA Joint Action Plan
- Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
- Report: “Border Crossing Issues and the Jay Treaty” (Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, 2016, PDF only)
- Report on First Nation border crossing issues (Minister’s Special Representative, 2017)
- Backgrounder: Canada and the United States (Prime Minister of Canada)
- Fact sheet: Strengthening the United States–Canada partnership (The White House)
- Reports from the Pikialasorsuaq Commission on Inuit mobility (Pikialasorsuaq Commission)
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