Vancouver, BC – The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC) congratulates the BC Legislature on unanimously passing Bill 41, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples act.
In its 2017 platform paper, An Agenda for Justice, CBABC called on the provincial government to recognize aboriginal justice systems in a manner consistent with treaty and constitutional obligations, as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Bill 41 mandates the BC government to harmonize its policies with the United Nations declaration.
“The experience of Indigenous citizens with our justice system has not been a positive one,” said CBABC president, Ken Armstrong. “CBABC recognizes systemic discrimination towards Indigenous people needs to be examined at every level of the provision of government services including how policies are framed and services delivered in the administration of justice. We are pleased today that, with this vote, the BC government has overwhelmingly recognized Indigenous rights are human rights.”
For more on CBABC’s recommended actions on Public Safety & Community Fairness, including the experience of Indigenous citizens, please see An Agenda for Justice.
The Canadian Bar Association is the professional organization representing more than 36,000 lawyers, judges and law students across Canada with over 7,200 members in British Columbia.
Media Contact:
Carolyn Lefebvre
604.646.7850
media@cbabc.org