Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements)
Proposed legislation to address some of the remaining inequities in Indian Act registration and band membership provisions.
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Legislative status of Bill S-2: In progress
On May 29, 2025, Bill S-2 (formerly Bill C-38) was introduced in the Senate to continue efforts to address remaining inequities in the Indian Act. Bill S-2 completed Third Reading in the Senate on December 4, 2025 and First Reading in the House of Commons on December 10, 2025.
Bill S-2 must now continue to move through the House of Commons. Parliament may choose to amend the bill throughout the process. Both the House of Commons and the Senate must agree on the final version of the bill before it can receive Royal Assent and become law.
Proposed legislative changes under Bill S-2
Bill S-2 initially proposed the following amendments:
- ensure entitlement to registration is transmitted the same for persons with a family history of enfranchisement including unmarried women, as it is for those without
- enable persons who wish to have their names removed from the Indian Register to apply for deregistration
- support women who were automatically transferred to their husbands' First Nation, and their descendants, to seek reaffiliation with their natal First Nation
- replace certain offensive and outdated references about First Nations persons with a disability
Bill S-2 has now been amended by the Senate to:
- address the second-generation cut-off by introducing a single-parent rule, allowing status to pass on indefinitely to future generations
- remove the no liability clauses initially included in Bill S-2
The initially proposed amendments to address enfranchisement, deregistration, natal band and offensive language would come into effect as soon as the law is passed. The no liability clauses would also be removed immediately.
The proposed amendments to address the second-generation cut-off would come into force 12 months after the law is passed, to enable consultation with First Nations to continue though the Collaborative Process on the Second-Generation Cut-Off and Section 10 Voting Thresholds.
Potential changes in entitlement to registration
You can apply for registration at any time. However, until Bill S-2 has become law, the proposed amendments cannot be applied to applications or protests received by Indigenous Services Canada.
If it appears that your entitlement to registration would change as a result of the proposed amendments to address enfranchisement under Bill S-2, you will receive a letter indicating that your application has been placed on hold until the proposed changes in Bill S-2 become law or until ISC can provide additional information. If Bill S-2 becomes law, your application will be processed based on the date it was received.
If your application is impacted by the second-generation cut-off, it may be denied. If you are denied prior to the legislative amendments addressing the second-generation cut-off coming into force, you can reapply if Bill S-2 becomes law.
To find out how to apply for registration, visit Register under the Indian Act.
Contact us
To find out more about Bill S-2, please email engagementinscriptionpn-fnregistrationengagement@sac-isc.gc.ca.