Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand publicly criticized members of the Senate during a committee meeting this week for failing to begin their session with a formal land acknowledgement, despite no official requirement to do so.
Committee Meeting Exchange
The exchange occurred during Thursday's meeting of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Anand was responding to a question about the Carney government's relationship with Indigenous communities when she turned her attention to the committee's oversight.
"I note and wonder why we didn't begin this session with a land acknowledgement, which is very important wherever we are, whenever we are speaking and gathering together on the traditional unceded territory of Indigenous peoples," Anand stated during the November 28, 2025 meeting. "This is part of reconciliation."
Senate Response and Position
Committee chair Senator Peter Boehm responded to the criticism in an emailed statement to National Post, clarifying that "there is no Senate rule or custom requiring a land acknowledgement at Senate committee meetings."
Boehm noted that during his five years as committee chair, he has not made land acknowledgements at these meetings. He emphasized that "my views in support of national truth and reconciliation are well known as is my ongoing support for the rights of Indigenous peoples."
Broader Meeting Context
The land acknowledgement discussion occurred within a broader meeting where Anand covered multiple foreign policy topics. She announced that Canada would prioritize engagement with Gulf regions, including the United Arab Emirates, for upcoming economic diplomacy efforts.
Anand faced questions from senators concerned about Canada potentially weakening its human rights stance, particularly given reports that the UAE has been involved in fueling Sudan's civil war. The minister reiterated Canada's commitment to human rights principles.
Regarding domestic policy, Anand confirmed Canada would increase investment in Arctic development, emphasizing the government would be "doing the work there alongside Indigenous peoples."
Later in the meeting, Senator Duncan Wilson expressed concern that the government might be moving too quickly on certain initiatives without adequate consultation with First Nations communities. "There's a real understanding right now that we need to move quickly as a country, but I'm worried that we're leaving some of those communities behind when they should be more part of the discussion," Wilson stated.
Wilson specifically referenced Bill C-5, legislation approved in June 2025 that allows the federal Cabinet to designate major projects like highways, pipelines, and energy developments as "national interest" projects, thereby fast-tracking their approval process. The Chiefs of Ontario organization has expressed concerns about the legislation's impact on Indigenous rights.
