Canada's PM Carney Meets with First Nations to Address Concerns Over Major Projects Law

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney convened a summit with First Nations chiefs to discuss the implementation of the Building Canada Act, which fast-tracks major projects deemed in the national interest. Attendees expressed concerns that the legislation disregards Indigenous rights and that the issue cannot be resolved in one meeting. Carney emphasized the potential economic benefits of the projects and the need for a nation-to-nation conversation. The outcome of the meeting remains uncertain, with some chiefs expressing doubts about achieving consensus.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney convened a summit with First Nations chiefs to discuss the implementation of the Building Canada Act, which fast-tracks major projects deemed in the national interest. The meeting, held in Gatineau, Quebec, was part of a series of consultations aimed at addressing concerns from Indigenous leaders regarding the legislation.

The summit, which took place on July 1, 2025, was met with a mix of optimism and skepticism from the First Nations leaders. While some expressed hope for meaningful dialogue and potential economic benefits, others were more critical, questioning the government's intentions and the process leading up to the meeting.

Chiefs from various regions across Canada highlighted their concerns about the legislation, which empowers cabinet to fast-track major projects. They emphasized that the bill disregards Indigenous rights and that the issue cannot be resolved in a single meeting. Brent Niganobe, chief of Mississauga First Nation in northern Ontario, criticized the consultation process, stating that it felt like First Nations were "an afterthought" after the bill was passed [1].

The government's agenda for the meeting was also criticized for its content and timing. Some chiefs argued that the proposed agenda was a "divide and conquer" strategy, with a select group of chiefs known to be "pro-industry" given more speaking time [2]. Others expressed skepticism about the government's commitment to genuine engagement, noting that the meeting was held only after the bill was rushed through Parliament.

Despite the skepticism, Prime Minister Carney emphasized the potential economic benefits of the projects and the need for a nation-to-nation conversation. He stated that projects built under the law would be done with Indigenous nations and communities, and their economic value would be shared with those communities as partners [3]. However, the outcome of the meeting remains uncertain, with some chiefs expressing doubts about achieving consensus.

The summit is the first of three Carney is holding with Indigenous leaders to address their concerns about Bill C-5, which is a key component of the Building Canada Act. The legislation has already drawn comparisons to the Idle No More protest movement that emerged in response to the Harper government's legislative agenda in 2012 [1].

References:

[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/carney-first-nations-summit-c5-1.7586758

[2] https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6834893

[3] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-carney-indigenous-first-nations-chiefs-economy-c5/