Section
National Aboriginal Law Section
Date
June 13, 2015
Location
Hampton Inn by Hilton, Sydney, NS
Submitted by
BC Branch Representative: Kate Blomfield (Aboriginal Law-Vancouver Section)
Report
Key agenda items:
- Professional Development
- review of 2015 section conference
- great conference, speakers and venue
- try to alternate between major cities and aboriginal communities/more remote locations to ensure accessibility
- 2016 meeting will be in Ottawa - Honour of the Crown
- 2017 meeting - support for idea of conference on 35th anniversary of s.35
- Legislation and Law Reform
- recent resolutions:
i. 13-02-M Ending Violence Against Aboriginal Women
ii. 13-03-M Indigenous Legal Traditions
iii. 05-01-A Recognition of Legal Pluralism in Judicial Appointments
iv. 09-02-A Dispute Resolution Process for Aboriginal Students
- Chevron intervention was a major focus
- Truth and Reconciliation Report
- Active Bills for Section consideration
- 33 – First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act
i. Decision last year to wait and see; still sitting at second reading, likely to die on order paper
ii. C-59 – Budget Implementation Act Budget Bill Sections
– Subject matter of those elements contained in Division 16 of Part 3, C-59, Budget Implementation Act
-affects First Nations financial authority
iii. C-53 – Life Means Life Act – info item
iv. C-56 – Statutory Release Reform Act – info item
v. C-60 – Removal of Serious Foreign Criminals Act – info item
- Section Election:
- Cindy Kieu - Secretary
- Ming - Chair
- Krista Vice-Chair
- Derek - Treasurer
- Federal Court initiatives
- Update re CBA intervention policy review
- Updates on PD from all regions
- National Section update
- Indigenous Bar Association liaison update