MCK Chief Jessica Lazare’s Presentation to Ottawa on Bill C-21
Written by Paul Graif on 8 March 2023
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke‘s Ietsénhaienhs Jessica Lazare was in Ottawa to make a presentation in front of the federal government’s Standing Committee on Bill C-21. That is the proposed federal legislation to make amendments to the Criminal Code, specifically the Firearms Act.
After the formal portion of her presentation, Lazare answered questions from the panel.
“My messaging was talking about the lack of consultation with indigenous communities. They were asking for specifics, they were asking for what my thoughts were. I had to tell them that I’m one person, from one table, and that a more comprehensive consultation process should be considered before even tabling a bill like this, especially since it has such a huge impact on Indigenous communities.”
According to Chief Lazare she felt she had to keep pushing the idea that there was a lack of consultation. In her words,
“The Canadian government doesn’t always have the patience for consultation engagement with communities, but that is what is needed. And that takes time.”
