Conducting the election of the Algonquin’s of Barriere Lake Band Council consisting of a Chief and six Councillors elected by a majority of the votes of the electors of the Band, in accordance with the Indian Act and the Indian Band Election Regulations.
Under the Indian Act (the ‘Act’) and the Indian Band Election Regulations (the ‘Regulations’), the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) must hold an election for purposes of recognizing a council of an Indian band subject to the election provisions of the Act under sections 74 to 80, when there is no council in place or when the council has not designated an electoral officer.
As a result of a recurring governance issue and problems with the interpretation of their customary code, the then Minister, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, adopted a ministerial order on April 1, 2010 making the Algonquin’s of Barriere Lake subject to the election provisions of the Act. Since then, the Council has refused to conduct their own election process. The Minister must then hold an election in accordance with those provisions and Quebec Region, as his ministerial delegate, must appoint an electoral officer for that purpose.
The Algonquins of Barriere Lake Band Council expires on August 12, 2020. The Indian Band Election Regulations state that the electoral process must begin no later than 79 days before that date. However, due to COVID-19, the Council has decided to extend its term by six months under the new Regulations concerning the cancellation or postponement of elections within the First Nations (disease prevention). As a result, depending on the evolution of the health situation and the Council’s decision, the next election will be held by February 12, 2021.
The Rapid Lake reserve was established for the use of the Algonquin’s of Barriere Lake in 1961. With a surface area of 29,7 hectares, the reserve is located 134 km north of Maniwaki, on the shore of the Cabonga Reservoir. As of December 31, 2015 the community had 764 members, with 582 living on reserve.
