The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI Executive Director, Kateri Coade, appeared as a witness before the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples on October 22, 2025 to provide testimony on Bill S-2.
In her opening statement, Kateri acknowledged the important work of Bill S-2 but highlighted that more is required to fully justify the rights of First Nation peoples. Specifically, Kateri emphasized the need to repeal the second-generation cut-off, describing it as a form of systemic assimilation that will cause significant harm in Epekwitk:
“We are the only peoples in Canada to be legislated in terms of identity and who we can parent with. The second-generation cutoff provision is nothing short of forced and deliberate systemic assimilation. It is important to acknowledge that Eastern Canada, as the first to be colonized, will be among the first regions to suffer irreparable harm if the second-generation cutoff is not repealed.”
Kateri also asked the Senators to consider repealing the non-liability clauses set out in sections 10 and 11 of Bill S-2. These clauses, Kateri noted, “completely disregard Canada’s constitutional responsibility to First Nations people.” Kateri further contended that Canada must focus on providing sustainable funding to First Nations and not on barring compensation for its systemic discrimination:
“Canada’s attention shouldn’t be focused on how to avoid compensation – it should be on how to address the ongoing and chronic underfunding of all programs and services provided to First Nations people. Canada must focus on helping us welcome home those who lost status with the corresponding resources to ensure long-term resilience.”
Bill S-2, an act to amend the Indian Act, is a legislation intended to address some of the inequities in the Indian Act that continue to impact First Nations individuals and families. While the Bill addresses systemic discrimination of the Indian Act, further amendments to the Bill are required to ensure it is fully aligned with Canada’s international and domestic legal obligations.
The full recording of the Senate Committee meeting is available here.
To learn more about Bill S-2, visit www.sac-isc.gc.ca