Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

At a January 24, 2012 meeting between the Federal Government and First Nation Chiefs, the Harper government told the Chiefs the Indian Act would not be abolished. Instead, a new act known as Bill S-6, The First Nations Election Act would be implemented. Bill S-6 is voluntary and First Nation Governments can opt into the First Nations Elections Act or continue to be legislated by the Indian Act election requirements. Many political concerns exist regarding the leadership /electoral process on Canada’s Indian Reservations. Because the structure of government is legislated under the Indian Act, it is a municipal style of elected officials in a single electoral zone. Therefore, the only recourse by peoples living on reserves is to raise their concerns with the Minister of Indian Affairs regarding corrupt acts of their government. Rather than hearing each case individually, the Harper Government has introduced Bill S-6 in an attempt to solve the internal problems of Chief and Council elections on Indian Reserves