Bill C-11 · 39th Parliament · Stephen Harper
Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act
An Act to give effect to the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement and to make a consequential amendment to another Act
Government bill. Became law.
- IntroducedOct. 29, 2007
- Debated in principleOct. 29, 2007
- Studied by a committeeDone
- Passed its first chamberOct. 29, 2007
- Passed the second chamberFeb. 6, 2008
- Became lawFeb. 14, 2008
Leading supporters
Ranked by the part each played: who is responsible for the bill, who carried it, and who spoke for it most.
- Stephen HarperPrime Minister
- Senator GustafsonSenate · Sponsor in the Senate
- Senator FraserSenate · SenatorPresented the committee report with amendment and observations, commending the report for approval.
- Senator SegalSenate · SenatorSupported the underlying agreement and opposed any delay from the amendment.
- Senator DaySenate · SenatorMoved that the bill be read the third time at the next sitting.
- Chuck StrahlHe moved to introduce the bill and confirmed it matches the prior version.
Who carries this bill
Arrows run from the person responsible to those who answer to them on this bill. The critic leads the Senate’s scrutiny and answers to no one on it.
Where members stand
What the Senate tried to change
- adds review or sunsetSenator WattAdds clauses 12.1 and 12.2 requiring reviews of implementation by Makivik (optional) and the designated minister (mandatory) within ten years, with reports laid before Parliament.Adopted · Jan. 31, 2008 · Senate record
How it changed on the way
The texts have not been compared yet.
How precisely it is written
mostly preciseChallenging the law: HardDisputing a charge: Moderate
The bill uses defined terms, fixed dates, numbered timelines and references to specific Agreement articles to create clear obligations and procedures. A few provisions still rely on broad necessity language that leaves room for argument over scope.
Open to argument
“The Governor in Council may make any orders and regulations that are necessary for the purpose of carrying out any of the provisions of the Agreement.”
Uses an open-ended 'necessary' standard without objective limits on what regulations may cover.
Clear-cut
“"Agreement" means the land claims agreement between the Nunavik Inuit and Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada signed on December 1, 2006, including any amendments made to it.”
Supplies a fixed signing date and treats amendments as part of the defined term.“be served at least 14 days before the day of argument, unless the court or tribunal authorizes a shorter period.”
States an exact number of days and identifies the sole exception.“Act receives royal assent, a comprehensive review of the implementation of this Act and the Agreement shall be undertaken by the Minister”
Fixes a precise ten-year window and names the actor required to act.
Discretion. Governor in Council may issue any regulations it deems necessary to implement the Agreement, and a designated Minister decides when and how the statutory review occurs.
Challenging the law itself. The Act implements a section 35 treaty, so vagueness or overbreadth claims under the Charter would face a high threshold.
Disputing a charge under it. Most duties are tied to the Agreement or fixed timelines, but the breadth of the regulation-making power could be disputed.
Read by a language model from the royal assent text; every quoted phrase appears in the bill. A reading of the drafting, not legal advice.
Did it work?
no evaluation found
Who lobbied on it
No lobbying registration naming this bill is loaded.
Stages and dates from LEGISinfo.