Statement - Government of Canada to appeal recent ruling on the First Nations Election Cancellation and Postponement Regulations (Prevention of Diseases)

OTTAWA, ON, April 8, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - The Minister of Indigenous Services, Marc Miller, issued the following statement today:

"Last April, after hearing directly from First Nation leaders regarding their grave concerns, Indigenous Services Canada acted promptly to develop the First Nations Election Cancellation and Postponement Regulations (Prevention of Diseases) to address the immediate public health risks posed by holding elections during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Regulations provide a mechanism for First Nation councils to postpone their elections or to extend the terms of the chiefs and councillors, while avoiding a critical governance gap, to prevent, mitigate or control the spread of diseases on reserve, including COVID-19.

On April 1, 2021, the Federal Court issued a ruling, which found that section 4 of the Regulations, related to custom election codes, is invalid.

The Government continues to recognize the health risks of holding elections during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in at-risk, underserved Indigenous communities, and particularly as parts of the country contend with a third wave of COVID-19 and highly contagious variants.

First Nations have used these Regulations as a key tool to help manage COVID-19 risks within their communities. Between April 8, 2020 and March 22, 2021, 116 First Nations have used the Regulations to postpone elections; 36 of these hold elections under the Indian Act; 15 under the First Nations Elections Act; and 65 under a community or custom process. We want to ensure that communities continue to have the necessary resources and tools available to them to manage the ongoing public health situation in a way that prioritizes the well-being of their communities.

It is in light of this context that we have made the decision to appeal this ruling.

Our top priority is, and will continue to be, the health and safety of all Canadians, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis."

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada