On April 16, 2024, the Canadian Government released the 2024 federal budget, including details on the much-anticipated federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program ILG Program. First announced in the government s 2023 Fall Economic Statement, the ILG Program will provide up to $5 billion in loan guarantees to Indigenous communities, and support Indigenous communities to share in Canada s prosperity and benefit from the new opportunities ahead.
As businesses finalize their reports under the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act the Act in advance of the May 31, 2024, statutory deadline, Public Safety Canada has updated its administrative guidance to clarify certain technical requirements, while also sowing confusion in respect of the basic question of which entities have reporting obligations under the Act. Public Safety Canada revised its guidance for Entities, originally issued in December 2023, on March 5, and March 20, 2024, and also added a page for answers to top questions and other amendments on March 5. A separate section was also added to the guidance website on March 13, 2024, to address the reporting obligations of government institutions.
The Alberta government has identified, and is taking proactive steps to address, the looming threat of a severe drought this year. As negotiations unfold to secure water-sharing agreements, a cascade of legal and economic considerations emerges. In particular, the implications for various sectors, including agriculture and oil and gas, pose challenges and require well thought-out responses. In a recent letter, the Alberta government Government informed water licence holders that it will be bringing together major water licence holders to negotiate water sharing agreements.
On March 26, 2024, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise CORE published a final report on its investigation into allegations that a Canadian mining company, Dynasty Gold Corporation Dynasty, operating in China s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region XUAR used or benefitted from forced labour. Following its investigation, the CORE concluded that the mining company violated internationally recognized human rights and made several recommendations as a result.
On March 28, 2024, British Columbia B.C. and the Council of the Haida Nation Haida Nation released the draft Gaayhllxid • Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement Draft Agreement which along with supporting legislation formally recognizes Haida Nation as the holder of Haida Title throughout Haida Gwaii. The Draft Agreement also confirms the transition over time of land- and resource-related governance powers from B.C. to Haida Nation as a result of the title recognition.