Courts have noted since the 1990s and early 2000s that negotiations outside the courts are the ideal way to resolve Indigenous land claims, but these disputes are still dealt with by courts and administrative tribunals. As of early June, the federal government reports that 1,082 specific claims for compensation have been settled, with another 590 in progress.
Now, Parliament is taking steps to bring the ball into its own court. This should be a positive development, but under the leadership of the Liberals and the passive response from Conservatives, it’s possible we could end up with a worse land claims system than the status quo. The frameworks being studied and considered lack regard for what the consequences would be for Canada’s very existence, especially if the government became overgenerous with land.
