Mattagami First Nation switches election regime

Summary#

The federal government made the Order Amending the Indian Bands Council Elections Order (Mattagami First Nation) to remove the Mattagami First Nation from the list of communities whose council elections are run under the Indian Act. This change, requested by the First Nation, took effect on April 12, 2023 and the first election under the First Nations Elections Act is set for October 9, 2023.

What it does#

• Removes the Mattagami First Nation from the list in the Indian Bands Council Elections Order, so the Indian Act’s election rules no longer apply to that community.
• Enables the Mattagami First Nation to hold its chief and council elections under the First Nations Elections Act instead.
• A companion order adds the First Nation to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act and fixes the first election date at October 9, 2023.
• The change was made after a council resolution from the First Nation dated December 13, 2022 and was signed by the Minister of Indigenous Services, Patricia Hajdu, on April 4, 2023.

Who's affected#

• Members and residents of the Mattagami First Nation — voters and people who may run for chief or council.
• The person or people running the election (the electoral officer) for the First Nation.
• Local law enforcement and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada in cases of alleged election offences (under the First Nations Elections Act).
• Indigenous Services Canada as the federal department that records and supports the change.
• If unclear: this order affects only the Mattagami First Nation; it does not change rules for other First Nations.

Why it matters#

• It gives the Mattagami community control to use the election rules and procedures in the First Nations Elections Act rather than those in the Indian Act.
• Practically, elections under the First Nations Elections Act are held every four years instead of every two years, which the government says can save money and help elected leaders plan longer-term projects.
• The change is meant to support local governance and self-determination, and it can affect who can run, how voting is organised, and how election disputes are handled.