The Senate of Canada is considering Bill C-15. Adoption of this legislation will require the laws of Canada to conform to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This will be a significant step forward in the journey of reconciliation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. The Bill has already been passed by the House of Commons. But it is presently stalled in the Senate.
 
Time is short! The Bill must be adopted in the current session of Parliament, before the end of June when it breaks for the summer, or else the Bill will die in the fall when Parliament is expected to be prorogued for a federal election. If the Bill dies, this will be great setback in Canada’s relations with Indigenous peoples.
 
Anglicans have been asked to write to the Senate urging that the Bill be adopted, now.
 
Each of us can do our part by visiting www.faithinthedeclaration.ca. This website provides details about Bill C-15. It also offers a template letter that can be personalized and sent to Senator Dan Christmas, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples. Please copy any letters to Senator Christmas to Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, our local Member of Parliament (nathaniel.erskine-smith@parl.gc.ca), and to the church office (office@staidansinthebeach.com).
  
Thank you for raising your voice about this most important issue.