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Purpose and status

• Bill C-21 was at first reading on February 12, 2026. It would give legal effect to the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty, signed by Canada and the Red River Métis on November 30, 2024.
• The preamble says an Act of Parliament giving effect to the treaty is required for its ratification.
• The bill affects the Red River Métis, the Manitoba Métis Federation, federal institutions and others with powers, rights or obligations under the treaty. The treaty’s detailed terms are not included in the supplied text.

Treaty and taxation

• The bill would confirm that the treaty is a treaty under sections 25 and 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. It would approve the treaty, give it force of law, and make it binding on and available to all persons and bodies.
• If the treaty conflicts with the bill or another federal law, the treaty would prevail. If the bill conflicts with another federal law, the bill would prevail.
• A tax treatment agreement would also have force of law while in effect. It would not form part of the treaty or be a treaty or land claims agreement under sections 25 and 35.

Courts, regulations and transition

• Courts would be required to take judicial notice of the treaty, the tax treatment agreement and Red River Métis laws. The treaty and tax agreement would have to be published by the King’s Printer.
• The Federal Court could review certain Manitoba Métis Federation administrative decisions made under Red River Métis law, after applicable appeal or review procedures under that law are exhausted.
• Red River Métis laws and instruments made under the treaty would not be statutory instruments under the Statutory Instruments Act.
• The Governor in Council could make orders and regulations needed to carry out the treaty, the bill, the tax agreement or related implementation agreements. The Federation must have a meaningful opportunity to collaborate in developing policy leading to regulations.
• Earlier Federation actions and decisions would be deemed valid under the treaty to the extent they would have been valid under it.

Changes to other Acts

• The bill would add the Manitoba Métis Federation to specified provisions of the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act. The supplied text does not reproduce the surrounding provisions.
• If Bill C-10, the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act, receives royal assent, the Red River Métis would be added to its schedule once both that Act and the treaty-approval provision of Bill C-21 are in force.