A Conservative Senator from Landmark denies accusations that his party is stalling a bill on indigenous rights. Bill C-262 would ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Senator Don Plett says there's no rush to move ahead with the bill because the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Affairs is currently preoccupied with two other bills.

Senator Don Plett"Bill C-91, which deals with indigenous languages rights and Bill C-92, which deals with indigenous children and youth are currently before the committee. If Bill C-262 was to pass in the Senate today, it would not be considered by the committee for at least, I'm sure, another month, because that is how long it will take to deal with 91 and 92. So, contrary to what people are saying, there is no advantage to rushing this bill through to committee."

Furthermore, he says a number of Senators want to speak to Bill C-262 before it goes to study. Thirdly, Plett adds this bill could have significant impacts on the laws of Canada and should not be rushed.

"It requires the Government of Canada to take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is no small step. It is not wise to suggest that legislation should be rushed through Parliament without allowing parliamentarians and the public the opportunity to carefully consider and debate the implications and impact."

Senator Plett says he has had a meeting with Liberal Senator Murray Sinclair where they agreed that after the Easter break, they will discuss a timeline to move this bill into committee.

"People need to understand that there is nothing being done to obstruct this bill by any person at all."

A number of churches and faith-based organizations like Mennonite Central Committee say there is urgency to get this bill passed into law because if it does not pass through committee and receive Third Reading by June, it will die on the order paper due to the fall election.