Bill S-6 · 41th Parliament · Stephen Harper
First Nations Elections Act
An Act respecting the election and term of office of chiefs and councillors of certain First Nations and the composition of council of those First Nations
Government bill. Died when Parliament ended.
- IntroducedDec. 5, 2011
- Debated in principleFeb. 1, 2012
- Studied by a committeeDone
- Passed its first chamberApril 23, 2012
- Passed the second chamberNot reached
- Became lawNot reached
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
- Rebecca PattersonSenate · Sponsor in the Senate
- Blake RichardsSupports moving past Indian Act elements via this incremental reform.
- Greg RickfordSpeaker describes the bill as an important step developed through partnership with first nations.
- Royal GalipeauPraises the bill for enabling stronger accountable governments and trusted elections.
- Jim HillyerStates he is speaking in favour of the bill and defends it against criticisms.
- Chris WarkentinArgues the bill empowers first nations with control over leadership in disputes.
- Rob Clarkeadds voice in support of the legislation to stop federal meddling in first nations elections
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.
What it set out to do
On 6 December 2011, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-6, An Act respecting the election and term of office of chiefs and councillors of certain First Nations and the composition of council of those First Nations (First Nations Elections Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. In October 2010, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and the leaders of these organizations launched a national engagement exercise on electoral reform. These organizations met with other First Nation leaders across the country between October 2010 and March 2011 to present their recommendations and seek advice on improving the election process for First Nations. Bill S-6 establishes a regime, alternative to the one under the Indian Act, to govern the election of chiefs and councillors of certain First Nations. Among other things it • provides that chiefs and councillors hold office for four years; • provides that the election of a chief or councillor may be contested before a competent court; and • sets out offences and penalties in relation to the election of a chief or councillor. This enactment also allows First Nations to withdraw from the reg…
Summary by the Library of Parliament.
Where members stand
That · 2013-06-11 · Passed
What the Senate tried to change
- removes provisionsSenator DyckWould delete the minister's power to add a First Nation to the schedule if a protracted leadership dispute has significantly compromised governance, replacing it with a narrower condition based only on a prior corrupt-practice set-aside under the Indian Act, and adjust the coming-into-force clause accordingly.Voted down · April 24, 2012 · Senate record
How it changed on the way
Only laws are compared, introduced against passed.
How precisely it is written
The drafting has not been read yet.
Did it work?
Only laws in force for two years or more are checked.
Who lobbied on it
No lobbying registration naming this bill is loaded.
Stages and dates from LEGISinfo.