If the exception were lifted it might also put pressure on to change the Indian Act. Another difficulty is the balancing of individual vs. collective rights - this issue with regards to Aboriginal people is not yet clear in law. Many questions need to be worked out with regards to Aboriginal self government. One suggestion is to have input from Aboriginal communities but stay with the CHR Commission - perhaps with a separate Aboriginal section with Aboriginal Commissioners, increased training, etc. Also, if the Act were amended there may be a need for new grounds of discrimination, training of Commissioners and investigators regarding Aboriginal law, training in conciliation and medication techniques - there may also be a need to ensure that Aboriginal communities still have the right to develop programs etc.
Any government needs time to grow into the objectives it has set for itself.
Representatives pointed out the many cases pending with the department re. No comments were made on this issue Part 2. Several participants mentioned a concern with time delays between the time the complaint is launched, the investigation to some kind of resolution. Two representatives mentioned a concern that the process seems to be one-sided against the department. One representative mentioned that many departments feel they should just pay when a complaint is made because the process is long and expensive.