The Crown has fiduciary obligations to First Nations and must act in consequence. One of this consequence is that the Crown has a duty to consult with aboriginal peoples when it infringes aboriginal or treaty right. The thesis deals with the principles related to the Crown's duty to consult with First Nations. I elaborate on principles established by the courts and also on questions that remain unanswered to date. Those questions include when, how and with whom the consultation should be done. I also examine the situation in New Zealand, where the consultation process is a little more advanced than here in Canada and compare the principles elaborated by New Zealand courts with those existing in Canada. From the New Zealand experience, I suggest consultation guidelines to be used in Canada by the Crown and its representatives.

The Crown has fiduciary obligations to First Nations and must act in consequence. One of this consequence is that the Crown has a duty to consult with aboriginal peoples when it infringes aboriginal or treaty right. The thesis deals with the principles related to the Crown's duty to consult with First Nations. I elaborate on principles established by the courts and also on questions that remain unanswered to date. Those questions include when, how and with whom the consultation should be done. I also examine the situation in New Zealand, where the consultation process is a little more advanced than here in Canada and compare the principles elaborated by New Zealand courts with those existing in Canada. From the New Zealand experience, I suggest consultation guidelines to be used in Canada by the Crown and its representatives. / Law, Peter A. Allard School of / Graduate