Duncan expected to unveil band electoral reform bill setting new term limits, imposing penalties for rule breaking
-Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan is expected to unveil a bill Tuesday to create new term limits for band councils and set penalties for breaking election rules, APTN National News has learned.
APTN National News
OTTAWA--Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan is expected to unveil a bill Tuesday to create new term limits for band councils and set penalties for breaking election rules, APTN National News has learned.
The proposed legislation would raise term limits for band councils under Indian Act rules to four years, up from two, and also prevent candidates who are not band members from running in elections, according to sources with knowledge of the file.
First Nations currently under Indian Act election rules will be able to opt into the legislation by passing a band council resolution, sources said.
The content of the proposed legislation is based on recommendations from consultations on electoral reform lead by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Atlantic Policy Congress, the main First Nations organization in Atlantic Canada.
Duncan received a report outlining the recommendations this past April.
Duncan is expected to unveil the bill along with Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Peter Penashue on Tuesday afternoon at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que., across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill. Millbrook First Nation Chief Lawrence Paul and St. Mary’s First Nation Chief Candice Paul are also expected to be at the announcement.
The proposed legislation will also outline penalties like fines for people who break election rules like buying votes or selling ballots, according to sources.
“Right now, the Indian Act has no penalties,” said a source.
Currently, under the Indian Act, all the minister can do is depose a chief or councillor who broke election rules and suspend them from running for office again over a number of years.
The proposed legislation is also expected to include new rules governing mail-in ballots and the ability to synchronize several elections in one region at the same time, according to sources.
Is this really what he is spending his time on right now? u00a0How important is this compared to the housing and water crisis on First Nations? u00a0I don’t know, I’m just asking, no sarcasm.