Ocean Man joins First Nations Elections Act

Summary#

This Order adds the Ocean Man First Nation to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act, so the band’s chief and council will be chosen under that federal law instead of the community’s previous custom system. It fixes the first election date as June 1, 2021 and came into force when it was registered on March 26, 2021.

What it does#

• Adds Ocean Man First Nation to the list of First Nations covered by the First Nations Elections Act.
• Sets the first council election under the Act for June 1, 2021.
• Makes the First Nation’s custom election rules void to the extent they conflict with the First Nations Elections Act.
• Means future elections will follow the Act’s rules (including dispute processes and offences in the Act).
• If the First Nation later wants to return to a custom system, it must create a community election code and have it approved by a community vote.

Who's affected#

• Members of the Ocean Man First Nation in Saskatchewan — voters and people who might run for chief or council.
• The band’s current leadership and the local electoral officer who will run the election under the federal rules.
• Organizations and people who work with or invest in the First Nation may notice changes in how the band’s leadership is chosen.

Why it matters#

• It changes how local leaders are chosen, replacing the community’s previous selection process with a federal election system.
• Elections under the Act occur on a fixed cycle — generally every four years — which can reduce the frequency and cost of elections and give leaders more time for long-term planning.
• The Act includes formal dispute and enforcement measures, so election challenges can go to court and serious offences (for example, bribery or intimidation) can be punished.
• The change was made at the request of the First Nation’s council after community consultations, so it reflects a local decision about governance.