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C-27

HOUSEAT2NDREADING

45th Parliament · Session 1

Bill C-27: An Act to give effect to the Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tlegohli Got’ine and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tlegohli Got’ine Act

Introduced

March 26, 2026

Current Stage

HouseAt2ndReading

Last Updated

March 26, 2026

Sponsor

Rebecca Alty

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Bill C-27

Thu Mar 26 2026

An Act to give effect to the Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tlegohli Got’ine and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Impact Rating

3/5

Short Summary

This bill grants official self-government to the Tlegohli Got'ine in the Northwest Territories, allowing them to make their own laws and removing them from the Indian Act.

Indigenous
Self-Government
Northwest Territories
Resource Management
Taxation

This bill officially brings the Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tlegohli Got'ine into Canadian law. It recognizes the Tlegohli Got'ine Government in the Northwest Territories as a legal entity with the power to make its own laws, manage its lands, and collect specific local taxes. Crucially, it removes the Tlegohli Got'ine people from the jurisdiction of the outdated Indian Act. It also updates various federal resource and privacy laws to ensure this new Indigenous government is treated similarly to other local governments.

Why does this bill exist?

Origin (Routine Update)

This bill is the mandatory legislative step to bring a finalized self-government treaty, signed in September 2025 by Canada, the Northwest Territories, and the Tlegohli Got'ine, into official law.

  • Grants the Tlegohli Got'ine Government the legal power to make their own laws, which will carry the force of federal law.

  • Removes the Tlegohli Got'ine people and their government from the jurisdiction of the federal Indian Act.

  • Recognizes their self-government agreement as a constitutionally protected treaty under the Constitution Act, 1982.

  • Implements a new Tax Treatment Agreement, allowing the Tlegohli Got'ine Government to manage and collect certain taxes on their lands.

  • Updates the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act so the new government has a legal say in land and water use permits on their territory.

  • Grants the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories exclusive jurisdiction to hear judicial reviews of decisions made by the Tlegohli Got'ine Government.

Indigenous communities

(Rights Expanded)

The Tlegohli Got'ine will now be governed by their own laws and leadership rather than the federal Indian Act.

Business owners

(More Expensive)

Companies operating on these specific lands will need to consult with the new government and potentially pay taxes or permit fees directly to them.

Everyday citizens

(Neutral)

Canadians outside the Northwest Territories will see no changes to their daily lives, laws, or taxes.

Provincial Impact

Provincial Impact

High (Requires Provincial Action/Funding) Interaction

The Government of the Northwest Territories is a signatory to this agreement. The NWT Supreme Court will handle judicial reviews, and territorial resource boards must formally consult and share policy direction with the new government.

Benefits & Pros

Advances reconciliation by recognizing Indigenous self-determination and dismantling the legacy of the Indian Act.

Gives the Tlegohli Got'ine local control over their own laws, land, and resources, enabling better community-driven decisions.

Clarifies legal and tax rules for businesses and individuals operating on Tlegohli Got'ine Settlement Lands.

Beneficiaries

Tlegohli Got'ine citizens
Tlegohli Got'ine Government

Risks & Cons

May create temporary administrative confusion as jurisdiction transitions from the federal government to the Tlegohli Got'ine Government.

Resource developers in the Northwest Territories will have an additional layer of government to consult and get permits from, which could slow down projects.

Requires complex integration between federal, territorial, and Indigenous legal systems.

Affected Groups

Resource, mining, and development companies operating in the region

Before & After

Currently, the Tlegohli Got'ine are subject to the federal Indian Act, and the federal and territorial governments control most land, water, and tax decisions on their territory. Under this bill, the Tlegohli Got'ine Government will make their own laws, collect their own local taxes, and co-manage their own resources.

Real World Scenario

Currently: A mining company wanting to operate on Tlegohli Got'ine land primarily deals with federal and territorial boards for permits. Under this Bill: The company must also ensure they do not violate Tlegohli Got'ine laws, and the new Indigenous government has a legal say in issuing those water and land permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sponsor

Rebecca Alty

Member of Parliament

House of Commons

First reading

Completed on March 26, 2026

Second reading

Not yet started

Consideration in committee

Not yet started

Report stage

Not yet started

Third reading

Not yet started

Senate

First reading

Not yet started

Second reading

Not yet started

Third reading

Not yet started

Abuse Potential

The bill states that in the event of a conflict between this Act and other federal laws, the Tlegohli Got'ine Agreement prevails. While this is standard for modern treaties, this broad language means federal oversight is significantly reduced. If the new government enacts controversial laws or mismanages resources, the federal government has limited legal avenues to intervene, relying instead on the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories for judicial review. It does, however, remain subordinate to the overarching Sahtu Dene and Metis Land Claim Settlement Act, providing a regional safety net.

Implementation Risk

The primary risk is administrative backlog as federal, territorial, and Tlegohli Got'ine boards integrate their permitting, land use, and tax collection processes. Ensuring businesses know exactly who to pay and what permits to get could be confusing initially.

Broad Economic Impact

Indirect

Everyday Life

Minimal impact

Admin Burden

Automatic for most Canadians, but requires businesses operating on Tlegohli Got'ine lands to comply with new local laws and permits.

Timeline

Phased in over time, with different parts of the agreement coming into force on dates set by the Governor in Council.