United Nations
General Assembly
A/HRC/27/52/Add.2
Distr.: General
4 July 2014
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Twenty-seventh session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous
peoples, James Anaya
Addendum
The situation of indigenous peoples in Canada*
Summary
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
examines the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in Canada on the basis of
research and information gathered from various sources, including during a visit to Canada
from 7 to 15 October 2013. The visit was a follow-up to the 2004 visit to and report on
Canada by the previous Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/2005/88/Add.3). During his visit, the
Special Rapporteur met with government officials at the federal level, and at the provincial
level in six provinces.
The relationship of Canada with the indigenous peoples within its borders is
governed by a well-developed legal framework and a number of policy initiatives that in
many respects are protective of indigenous peoples’ rights. But despite positive steps,
daunting challenges remain. The numerous initiatives that have been taken at the federal
and provincial/territorial levels to address the problems faced by indigenous peoples have
been insufficient. The well-being gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in
Canada has not narrowed over the past several years; treaty and aboriginal claims remain
persistently unresolved; indigenous women and girls remain vulnerable to abuse; and
overall there appear to be high levels of distrust among indigenous peoples towards the
government at both the federal and provincial levels.
*
The summary of the present report is circulated in all official languages. The report itself, which is
annexed to the summary, is circulated in the language of submission only.
GE.14-07508 (E)
*1407508*