Why did Canada negotiate a treaty with the Tsawwassen First Nation?
Key federal government priorities include improving the quality of life of Aboriginal people in Canada by working to create stable and accountable governments in First Nations communities and taking decisive action to settle outstanding land claims. At the same time, government works to ensure that First Nations people enjoy the same quality of life shared by most Canadians. The Canadian Constitution recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal rights and title. However, in the absence of a treaty, there is uncertainty as to the nature, scope and content of those rights. Negotiations are a constructive way of addressing these issues and are preferable to litigation.
