As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada make information publicly available about the status of the Comprehensive Land Claims Policy and its approach to the negotiation of modern treaties with Indigenous Nations outside of British Columbia.

Recommendation 2

That Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada work with Indigenous Nations to align its approach to the negotiation of modern treaties with the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Recommendation 3

That Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada work with Indigenous Nations to undertake a review of the process to develop negotiation mandates for modern treaties.

Recommendation 4

That, as part of larger reforms to the Specific Claims Policy and process, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada work with First Nations to:

• identify and remove barriers which may limit the use of land as compensation for specific claims, including the $150 million limit on monetary awards from the Specific Claims Tribunal; and
• align the Specific Claims Policy and process with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Recommendation 5

That Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada work with First Nations, provincial, territorial and municipal partners, as part of ongoing engagements on the Addition to Reserve Policy to:

• identify and develop with First Nations a plan to address barriers in federal processes that may delay additions to reserve;
• enhance First Nations capacity to develop proposals for additions to reserve and participate in the additions to reserve process; and
• work with First Nations to align the Addition to Reserve Policy and process with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Recommendation 6

That Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada provide each House of Parliament with annual progress reports on engagements to redesign the Addition to Reserve Policy beginning in 2024.

Recommendation 7

That Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada work with First Nations to develop a strategy to reduce barriers at the federal level for First Nations seeking to create a reserve in urban centres.

Recommendation 8

That Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, in partnership with Indigenous Nations, explore approaches to land restitution outside of the Comprehensive Land Claims Policy, the Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for treaty negotiations in British Columbia, the Specific Claims Policy and the Addition to Reserve Policy, such as recognizing and implementing Aboriginal title over specific parcels of land outside modern treaty processes and establishing a process to adjudicate the rights of Indigenous Nations pertaining to their lands, territories and resources in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and that the department provide each House of Parliament with a progress report on these efforts by December 2024.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous Nations to identify and establish new approaches to respond to Indigenous Nations defending their lands.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous Nations to create an Indigenous Rights Commission and Tribunal to render decisions in disputes concerning Indigenous Rights.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous Nations to create a national land restitution centre.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada work with First Nations to develop a framework to discuss the meaning and implementation of historic treaties.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous Nations to explore the creation of tax-free mechanisms to reclaim land and fee simple title.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with Indigenous Nations, explore opportunities to support Indigenous land trusts, including tax incentives for the donation of land to Indigenous Nations or organizations.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada consult with relevant stakeholders, including the First Nations Tax Commission and the First Nations Financial Management Board, on ways to facilitate the donation of land to Indigenous Nations.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada:

• work with Indigenous Nations, Indigenous organizations (such as hunters and trappers organizations) and provincial and territorial governments to develop a strategy to increase the number of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in all parts of Canada and to provide sufficient funding to support Indigenous Nations and organizations working towards the development of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas;
• provide annual progress reports to each House of Parliament, beginning in September 2024, on progress made towards the development of a strategy on Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas; and
• make information about the progress made towards the development of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas strategy publicly available.

Recommendation 17

That Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada work with First Nations and the First Nations Lands Advisory Board to develop a First Nations-led land registry.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous Nations to ensure that all forms of land restitution include the restoration of Indigenous governance and jurisdiction over lands and resources.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous Nations and Indigenous businesses to determine funding needs and ensure that Indigenous businesses have access to adequate, predictable, sustainable and long-term funding.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous Nations and the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association to undertake a review of the Social Finance Fund to determine whether it is complimentary to National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association initiatives.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada encourage Indigenous Nations and industry to establish a working group to discuss Impact and Benefit Agreements.

Recommendation 22

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with Indigenous Nations, consider options for improving access to capital, including through support to Indigenous Financial Institutions and the potential creation of an Indigenous Development Bank in Canada.