Halalt First Nation adopts custom election code

Summary#

The federal government has removed the Halalt community from the federal election rules in the Indian Act and recognized the community’s own election code. The change took effect when the order was registered on May 1, 2023, and the first election under the community code was set for September 12, 2023.

What it does#

• Repeals the specific entry that kept the Halalt First Nation under the Indian Act’s band council election rules.
• Recognizes the Halalt First Nation Custom Election Code as the rules the community will use to choose its chief and councillors.
• Fixes the date of the first election under that custom code at September 12, 2023.
• Transfers responsibility for running elections and resolving election disputes to the Halalt First Nation; the federal department will no longer run or interpret those elections.
• The order was made by the Minister (signed April 26, 2023) under subsection 74(1) of the Indian Act and was registered federally on May 1, 2023.

Who's affected#

• Members of the Halalt First Nation are the main people affected.
• Local leaders (chief and councillors) and community election administrators will operate under the custom code.
• Indigenous Services Canada will no longer administer or decide on Halalt’s elections or appeals.
• The change is limited to the Halalt community; it does not apply to other First Nations.

Why it matters#

• The community now controls how its leaders are chosen, which can reflect local traditions, priorities and practical needs.
• Election rules, voting methods, and how disputes are handled will follow Halalt’s own code instead of federal rules.
• A community ratification vote closed on November 1, 2022 with 51 ballots cast: 34 in favour and 17 opposed, which supported the change.
• For residents, this can mean different voting options, timelines, or eligibility rules compared with the Indian Act system.