Legislation

The preamble to the Specific Claims Tribunal Act reads as follows:

Recognizing that

it is in the interests of all Canadians that the specific claims of First Nations be addressed;

resolving specific claims will promote reconciliation between First Nations and the Crown and the development and self-sufficiency of First Nations;

there is a need to establish an independent tribunal that can resolve specific claims and is designed to respond to the distinctive task of adjudicating such claims in accordance with law and in a just and timely manner;

the right of First Nations to choose and have access to a specific claims tribunal will create conditions that are appropriate for resolving valid claims through negotiations;

the Assembly of First Nations and the Government of Canada have worked together on a legislative proposal from the Government of Canada culminating in the introduction of this Act;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: Specific Claims Tribunal Act (S.C. 2008, c. 22)