Mattagami First Nation Added to Elections Act

Summary#

The Order Amending the Schedule to the First Nations Elections Act (Mattagami First Nation) adds Mattagami First Nation to the list of First Nations covered by the First Nations Elections Act. It sets the band's first council election under that Act for October 9, 2023 and came into force when it was registered on April 12, 2023 (published in the Canada Gazette on April 26, 2023).

What it does#

• Adds entry number 83 for Mattagami First Nation to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act.
• Fixes the band's first election date as October 9, 2023.
• States the order comes into force on the day it was registered (registration: April 12, 2023).

Who's affected#

• Members and leaders of Mattagami First Nation — their next council election will be held under the First Nations Elections Act rules.
• The band's election administrators and anyone helping run or monitor the election.
• It is unclear from the notice whether other groups or governments will have new roles beyond usual election administration.

Why it matters#

• Being added to the Act means Mattagami First Nation will use the federal rules set out in the First Nations Elections Act for council elections.
• That can change how candidates run, how votes are counted, and rules about campaign conduct and candidate eligibility compared with previous practices.
• For band members, this affects who can run, how elections are organized, and when the new council takes office.