Crown Indigenous Consultations

The Government of Manitoba has a legal obligation to consult with First Nations, Métis, Inuit and local Indigenous communities about any proposed provincial law, regulations, decision or action that may adversely impact Treaty or Aboriginal rights.

Aboriginal and Treaty rights are recognized and affirmed in Section 35 of the Constitution Act.  Canadian Courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, have made judgements interpreting and applying Section 35.  One element of these judgements is the recognition of the Crown’s legal duty to consult and where appropriate, accommodate Indigenous communities.

Policy

Manitoba’s Interim Provincial Policy for Crown Consultations with First Nations, Métis Communities and Other Aboriginal Communities (2009) (PDF) is the current guiding document for how Crown-Indigenous consultations are carried out by Manitoba.

The Manitoba Government is currently developing a renewed Framework for Crown-Indigenous consultations.  When launched, the new Framework will replace the 2009 Interim Policy, and will provide more certainty for Government staff, Indigenous communities and project proponents who are involved in consultations.