Minister heeds Senate report with First Nations border-crossing appointment
Ottawa – The Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples congratulates Fred Caron on his appointment as the Indigenous Affairs Minister’s Special Representative to lead engagement with First Nations on Canada-United States border crossing issues.
In a June 2016 report, the committee recommended the minister appoint a special representative to address this issue; Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett agreed to this recommendation in her reply to the committee’s report.
“As recommended by the Committee, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada will appoint a Minister’s Special Representative who will have the mandate to engage with First Nations and explore their views regarding the border crossing challenges they face as well as their perspectives on potential solutions,” Minister Bennett wrote in a letter co-signed by Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Immigration Minister John McCallum.
The committee’s report, Border Crossing Issues and the Jay Treaty, explored and proposed solutions to long-standing cross-border mobility issues faced by many First Nations communities that straddle the Canada-US border.
The Jay Treaty, signed in 1794 by representatives of the U.S. and British governments, guaranteed First Nations people permission to freely cross the border. While the committee has heard the treaty has no practical application in Canada today, it provides a historical foundation for improved cross-border mobility.
The committee wishes Mr. Caron every success in his new role.
Quotes
“It is gratifying to see the federal government building on the work of our committee to eliminate an unnecessary obstacle faced by First Nations communities located on the Canada-United States border.”
- Senator Lillian Eva Dyck, Chair of the committee
“Fred Caron is an experienced negotiator and a friend to Canada’s Indigenous peoples. We look forward to hearing his recommended solutions to this long-standing issue.”
- Senator Dennis Patterson, Deputy Chair of the committee
Associated Links
- Read the report, Border Crossing Issues and the Jay Treaty.
- Read the federal government’s response to the report.
- Follow the committee on social media using the hashtag #APPA.
For more information, please contact:
Sonia Noreau
Media Relations Coordinator
Senate of Canada
613-614-1180 | sonia.noreau@sen.parl.gc.ca