Bill S-2: An Update – First Peoples Law LLP

February 27, 2026

In an earlier blogpost, we explained the amendments proposed to the Indian Act registration rules under Bill S-2. Since then, the Senate has proposed further changes to address long-standing injustices resulting from the second-generation cut-off.

Those changes are now being considered in the House of Commons and could be passed into law as early as this spring.

What is the second-generation cut-off?

In 1985, Bill C-31 introduced two distinct categories of registration under the Indian Act. Individuals registered under s. 6(1) automatically pass on status to their children. By contrast, anyone who is registered under s. 6(2) can only pass Indian status on to their children if the child’s other parent also has status.

Read More: https://www.firstpeopleslaw.com/public-education/blog/bill-s-2-an-update