National Council for Reconciliation Starts July 2, 2024

Summary#

This order fixes July 2, 2024 as the day the National Council for Reconciliation Act comes into force. That allows the new National Council for Reconciliation to be set up legally so it can begin its work monitoring and reporting on progress toward reconciliation.

What it does#

• Fixes July 2, 2024 as the official start date for the National Council for Reconciliation Act.
• Allows the Council to be incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, which is required for it to receive funding and operate.
• Notes existing funding from Budget 2019, including an endowment of $125 million and $1.5 million for initial operations.
• Requires the Council, within six months after it incorporates, to receive a protocol from the Government about disclosure of information the Council needs to do its job.
• Sets up annual reporting rules:
  • The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations must give the Council a report within six months after March 31 each year on certain indicators (education, health, justice, children in care, etc.).
  • The Council must produce an annual report on the state of reconciliation. That report is to be tabled in Parliament and the Government must respond.

Who's affected#

• Indigenous peoples across Canada, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis — especially survivors of residential schools and their families.
• Government of Canada departments and officials, including the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, who will be required to provide data and reports.
• Non-profit and community groups, researchers, and others who work on reconciliation issues or who may interact with the Council.
• The broader public, since the Council’s annual reports are meant to track progress across all levels of government and sectors of society.

Why it matters#

• It creates a permanent, independent body to monitor and report on Canada’s progress toward reconciliation.
• It aims to improve transparency and government accountability by requiring regular data-sharing and public reports.
• The funding and legal setup mean the Council can have a lasting institutional role, helping keep attention on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s goals over time.
• In practice, this could affect how programs are measured, where money and policy attention go, and how progress (or lack of it) is communicated to Canadians.