Minister says all federal bills should be analyzed through an Indigenous lens
OTTAWA – As First Nations leaders prepare to rally on Parliament Hill against Ottawa's controversial 'major projects' legislation, the federal minister for Indigenous services says she's asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to screen new federal bills for their impacts on Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty says other ministries — including labour, industry and natural resources — touch on Indigenous rights in different ways and the legislation they introduce should be analyzed through an Indigenous lens.
Her comments come as First Nations prepare to protest on Parliament Hill against C-5, legislation that would allow the federal government to override certain laws — including the Indian Act and the Species at Risk Act — to get major projects approved.
First Nations leaders say C-5 could trample on their rights and accuse Carney's government of failing to consult with them.
Gull-Masty says that as a former grand chief, she knows economic participation is not the bottom line for Indigenous communities worried about the impacts of development on their culture and the environment.
She says Carney is 'super open' to the idea of reviewing bills through an Indigenous lens and is willing to engage new methods brought forward by cabinet's Indigenous caucus.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ottawa Citizen
39 minutes ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Senate passes bill to protect supply management from any future trade deals
OTTAWA — The Bloc Québécois' long and often rocky road to protect supply management from any concessions in future trade negotiations has come to a successful end. The Senate has adopted Bill C-202, making it the first bill set to receive royal assent in the new session of Parliament. Article content 'We won,' said Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet enthusiastically, hours after the Senate adopted his party's bill. Article content Article content Article content C-202 sought to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to prevent the minister from 'making a commitment' that would increase the tariff rate quota for dairy, poultry, or eggs in trade negotiations. It would also prevent tariff reductions on these products when they are imported in excess. Article content Article content The Bloc wanted to strengthen the long-standing federal government policy to maintain Canada's supply management system, including its production control, pricing mechanisms and import controls. Article content The House of Commons unanimously passed the bill last week and the Senate did so 'with division' on Tuesday evening. Article content 'The notion of unanimity really weighed heavily. It was all parties and the unanimity of elected officials. So, everyone who speaks for Canadians and Quebecers was in favour,' Blanchet said at a press conference. Article content Article content Bloc Québécois MP Yves Perron has been championing this bill for over five years. In an interview with the National Post, Perron expressed his pride. Article content Article content 'We have just demonstrated that the Bloc Québécois serves a purpose. I think we are capable of moving forward on issues and on a scale that is extremely positive for Quebec, but also positive for the rest of Canada,' he said. 'And the rest of Canada has finally understood this.' Article content But the Grain Growers of Canada argued that 'Parliament chose to prioritize one group of farmers over another,' while the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance said it was 'deeply concerned' by the adoption of 'a flawed piece of legislation that sets a troubling precedent, undermining Canada's longstanding commitment to the rules-based international trading system.' Article content Even if the Senate passed the bill, many senators still had some reservations on Tuesday. In a speech in the Senate, Alberta Sen. Paula Simons expressed concerns about what Bill C-202 means for national unity because it was from a Bloc MP, which advocates for the separation of Quebec from the rest of Canada.
Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
Tories accuse PM of thinking about Brookfield's 'bottom line' with EV mandate
Carney's financial holdings continue to be sore spot after issues raised in Liberal leadership race, federal election Conservative MP Andrew Scheer, leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Photo by Justin Tang / The Canadian Press OTTAWA — While Canada prepares to launch a decade-long ban on the sale of new gas-powered vehicles next year, the Conservatives are accusing the PM of having more on his mind than climate change. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account During question period on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of thinking more about the bottom line of his former employer in allowing his government to go ahead with the contentious Justin Trudeau-era policy. 'Canadians, autoworkers, Ford, GM — they all don't want the EV mandate, but the prime minister's intent on pushing it through,' Scheer said. 'Why? Well, right before becoming prime minister he was chair of Brookfield and he advocated for a ban on gas-powered cars. Brookfield is heavily invested in the EV supply chain. If this prime minister refuses to reveal his financial interests or self-admitted conflicts — isn't it true that this isn't about the environment, this is about the bottom line for Brookfield?' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Carney's financial holdings were a sore spot during his run at the Liberal leadership and subsequent federal election, lashing out at several reporters who asked him about it — repeatedly insisting that all of his publicly traded assets were placed in a blind trust. As of Dec. 31, disclosures by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission showed Carney held just under $7 million US in unexercised stock options in Brookfield Asset Management. RECOMMENDED VIDEO In response, AI Minister Evan Solomon completely ducked the questions about his party leader's portfolio, instead talking up his government's efforts to protect auto-sector jobs from leaving Canada and the investments made by Canada in automakers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We have invested in the auto sector, including the EV sector, to build good jobs in places like St. Thomas,' he said, referring to the Ontario city's $7-billion Volkswagen battery plant, which is under construction. 'This government will always invest in workers and make sure that the auto industry is growing, resilient and successful.' This was the second straight day the Conservatives hammered the government over EV mandates, which will require 100% of all new cars sold by 2025 to be electric. On Tuesday, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin accused the Tories of taking unfair aim at Canada's auto industry by demanding an end to the mandates, clearly unaware that Canada's auto industry is against the policy, which by next year will require 20% of new car sales to be EVs. In a news conference earlier this year, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Brian Kingston described the EV mandates as 'complete fantasy' and legislation dictating which cars Canadians can and cannot buy as a 'made-in-Canada policy failure.' bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume Read More NHL Canada Soccer Canada Toronto Maple Leafs
Calgary Herald
an hour ago
- Calgary Herald
Senate passes bill to protect supply management from any future trade deals
OTTAWA — The Bloc Québécois' long and often rocky road to protect supply management from any concessions in future trade negotiations has come to a successful end. The Senate has adopted Bill C-202, making it the first bill set to receive royal assent in the new session of Parliament. Article content 'We won,' said Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet enthusiastically, hours after the Senate adopted his party's bill. Article content Article content Article content C-202 sought to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to prevent the minister from 'making a commitment' that would increase the tariff rate quota for dairy, poultry, or eggs in trade negotiations. It would also prevent tariff reductions on these products when they are imported in excess. Article content Article content The Bloc wanted to strengthen the long-standing federal government policy to maintain Canada's supply management system, including its production control, pricing mechanisms and import controls. Article content The House of Commons unanimously passed the bill last week and the Senate did so 'with division' on Tuesday evening. Article content 'The notion of unanimity really weighed heavily. It was all parties and the unanimity of elected officials. So, everyone who speaks for Canadians and Quebecers was in favour,' Blanchet said at a press conference. Article content Article content Bloc Québécois MP Yves Perron has been championing this bill for over five years. In an interview with the National Post, Perron expressed his pride. Article content 'We have just demonstrated that the Bloc Québécois serves a purpose. I think we are capable of moving forward on issues and on a scale that is extremely positive for Quebec, but also positive for the rest of Canada,' he said. 'And the rest of Canada has finally understood this.' Article content But the Grain Growers of Canada argued that 'Parliament chose to prioritize one group of farmers over another,' while the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance said it was 'deeply concerned' by the adoption of 'a flawed piece of legislation that sets a troubling precedent, undermining Canada's longstanding commitment to the rules-based international trading system.' Article content Even if the Senate passed the bill, many senators still had some reservations on Tuesday. In a speech in the Senate, Alberta Sen. Paula Simons expressed concerns about what Bill C-202 means for national unity because it was from a Bloc MP, which advocates for the separation of Quebec from the rest of Canada.
