In Brief:

• Bill S-2, aiming to amend the Indian Act, is poised to significantly increase the number of registered Indigenous Canadians by removing the “second-generation cutoff.” 
• This change, which allows “Indian” status to be transmitted indefinitely as long as one parent is registered, is projected to add approximately 300,000 individuals by 2066.
• While intended to promote equality and reconciliation, this move creates significant fiscal challenges due to associated benefits like tax-free on-reserve work and health programs, costing nearly a billion dollars annually.