Bill S-3: Addressing sex based inequities in Indian registration

Bill S-3 amends the Indian Act to address residual discrimination on the basis of sex with respect to eligibility for registration on the Indian Register. The Senate proposed an amendment which would effectively extend eligibility for registration to all persons with First Nations ancestry. We assume that Parliament will proportionately increase funding for benefits provided to registered persons in order to maintain current service levels. The total cost for Bill-S-3 as initially proposed or amended by the House of Commons is estimated to be $19 million in upfront administrative costs plus $55 million/year to maintain program service levels and tax exemptions. The total cost of Bill S-3 as amended by the Senate is expected to be about $71 million in one-time administrative costs plus $407 million a year in ongoing costs.