First Nations elections act introduced in parliament

The federal government announced the First Nations Elections Act Dec. 6 in parliament. The new legislation addresses longstanding issues with the current election system under the Indian Act, which many First Nations believe is antiquated and paternalistic.
Some of these concerns are a two-year term of office being too short for First Nation governments to accomplish important priorities; a loose process for the nomination of candidates; a mail-in ballot system that is open to abuse; a slow and ineffective elections appeals system; and the absence of defined offences and penalties.
The First Nations Elections Act responds to the recommendations provided by the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs (APC) and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and a national engagement process with First Nations on the development of a better electoral system.
“Our government has developed this historic piece of legislation with First Nations to deliver real improvements to their election processes,” John Duncan, minister of Aboriginal Affairs said in a press release. “This new election system will help First Nations create the political stability necessary for solid business investments and long term planning that will lead to increased economic development, job creation and improved quality of life for the community.”
Key changes with the new Elections Act are a four year term of office; no role for the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to play in receiving, investigating and deciding on election appeals; provisions that allow groups of First Nations to hold their elections on a common day and line up their terms of office; clear criteria on the eligibility to be a candidate for the position of chief; the possibility for individual First Nations to institute a candidacy fee of no more than $250, which would be refunded if the candidate received at least five per cent of the total votes cast.; similar to other election laws, penalties for defined offences such as obstructing the electoral process and engaging in corrupt or fraudulent activities in relation to an election; and powers to develop regulations surrounding mail-in ballots, advance polls and recall of elected officials.
Currently there are 240 First Nations that hold their elections under the Indian Act, 36 First Nations who select leaders under self-government agreements and 341 First Nations that hold elections under their community or custom election code. Every First Nation has the choice to opt in to the proposed new Elections Act legislation.