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CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Some First Nations worry Carney's major projects bill will only lead to more conflict
Social Sharing Some First Nations are raising concerns about the federal government's plan to provide up-front approvals for major projects, with one grand chief calling it a "fool's errand." Through interviews and letters CBC News obtained, First Nations are raising red flags with the Liberal government's plans to fast-track what it calls projects in the national interest. The government is still consulting with Indigenous communities, premiers and industry, but is expected to table "one Canadian economy" legislation as early as next week. "While you can legislate to fast-track regulation, you cannot fast-track the Crown's duties or fast-track Indigenous acceptance," states Savanna McGregor, Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council in a letter to the Privy Council Office (PCO). "Trying to do so is a fool's errand because it would lead to more, not less, potential conflict, including preclusive litigation." CBC News contacted the PCO on Friday evening for a request for comment about McGregor's concerns, but did not receive a response by publication time. McGregor represents seven nations in Quebec and Ontario. The PCO is the lead branch of the civil service providing support to Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet. The office has been sending letters to Indigenous leaders, asking for feedback on proposed legislation that would fast-track major projects, such as ports, nuclear facilities and mines. CBC News obtained a document shared with First Nations that states Carney's government intends to "facilitate the identification of projects" that are in the national interest, "provide certainty through up-front regulatory approvals" and establish a "major projects office." WATCH | Carney on his government's priorities: Carney talks U.S. relations, his government's ambitions in exclusive interview | Power & Politics 3 days ago Duration 21:01 Prime Minister Mark Carney sat down for a wide-ranging one-on-one interview with CBC's Power & Politics host David Cochrane on Tuesday. Carney addressed Canada's current relationship with the U.S. along with the challenges ahead for his new government, including housing affordability and separatist sentiment in Alberta. The letter gave First Nations a week to comment on the briefing note, which spells out how the proposed legislation would work. Friday was the deadline to comment. "Obviously, it is quite concerning," said Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi in an interview with CBC News. "There's not much time to react and strategize." Treaty 8 is the largest treaty by area and encompasses parts of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, British Columbia and northwest Saskatchewan. Many of its sovereign nations are in the heart of Canada's oilpatch or live with its direct environmental impacts. Mercredi said that when governments talk about removing the red tape and other barriers that slow down the approval of projects, First Nations like his worry Indigenous rights will be pushed aside. "We're wondering which direction it's going to go," Mercredi said. He said one place this could end up is in court. Poilievre says he'll support Carney's expected project-approval bill if it 'gets things done quickly' 6 hours ago Duration 2:02 Groups backed by industry, however, are looking favourably at the government's proposal. Although they still need to see the legislation, some believe the Liberal government seems to be moving in the right direction. The head of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, which counts fossil fuel companies as its members, said it would mark a "positive step." "We've heard the same frustration from business leaders across Canada, specifically in Alberta, about how we're falling behind globally on attracting capital, and this legislation could greatly help reverse that trend if it's enacted in a timely manner," said Shauna Feth, CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, in an interview with the CBC's The House. However, liquefied natural gas advocacy group Energy for a Secure Future questions whether Ottawa is picking winners and losers. The group's head suggested that the Liberal government should consider specific sectors it wants to see projects in, such as critical mineral mines, rather than favouring specific projects. "So I think the government in signalling in that way can achieve its similar goals without putting the spotlight on any specific projects, and I think that will attract more projects," said Shannon Joseph, the chair of Energy for a Secure Future.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Some First Nations worry Carney's major projects bill will only lead to more conflict
Some First Nations are raising concerns about the federal government's plan to provide up-front approvals for major projects, with one grand chief calling it a "fool's errand." Through interviews and letters CBC News obtained, First Nations are raising red flags with the Liberal government's plans to fast-track what it calls projects in the national interest. The government is still consulting with Indigenous communities, premiers and industry, but is expected to table "one Canadian economy" legislation as early as next week. "While you can legislate to fast-track regulation, you cannot fast-track the Crown's duties or fast-track Indigenous acceptance," states Savanna McGregor, Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council in a letter to the Privy Council Office (PCO). "Trying to do so is a fool's errand because it would lead to more, not less, potential conflict, including preclusive litigation." CBC News contacted the PCO on Friday evening for a request for comment about McGregor's concerns, but did not receive a response by publication time. McGregor represents seven nations in Quebec and Ontario. The PCO is the lead branch of the civil service providing support to Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet. The office has been sending letters to Indigenous leaders, asking for feedback on proposed legislation that would fast-track major projects, such as ports, nuclear facilities and mines. CBC News obtained a document shared with First Nations that states Carney's government intends to "facilitate the identification of projects" that are in the national interest, "provide certainty through up-front regulatory approvals" and establish a "major projects office." WATCH | Carney on his government's priorities: The letter gave First Nations a week to comment on the briefing note, which spells out how the proposed legislation would work. Friday was the deadline to comment. "Obviously, it is quite concerning," said Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi in an interview with CBC News. "There's not much time to react and strategize." Treaty 8 is the largest treaty by area and encompasses parts of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, British Columbia and northwest Saskatchewan. Many of its sovereign nations are in the heart of Canada's oilpatch or live with its direct environmental impacts. Mercredi said that when governments talk about removing the red tape and other barriers that slow down the approval of projects, First Nations like his worry Indigenous rights will be pushed aside. "We're wondering which direction it's going to go," Mercredi said. He said one place this could end up is in court. WATCH | Poilievre's view on the proposed bill: Groups backed by industry, however, are looking favourably at the government's proposal. Although they still need to see the legislation, some believe the Liberal government seems to be moving in the right direction. The head of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, which counts fossil fuel companies as its members, said it would mark a "positive step." "We've heard the same frustration from business leaders across Canada, specifically in Alberta, about how we're falling behind globally on attracting capital, and this legislation could greatly help reverse that trend if it's enacted in a timely manner," said Shauna Feth, CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, in an interview with the CBC's The House. However, liquefied natural gas advocacy group Energy for a Secure Future questions whether Ottawa is picking winners and losers. The group's head suggested that the Liberal government should consider specific sectors it wants to see projects in, such as critical mineral mines, rather than favouring specific projects. "So I think the government in signalling in that way can achieve its similar goals without putting the spotlight on any specific projects, and I think that will attract more projects," said Shannon Joseph, the chair of Energy for a Secure Future.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ottawa tabling bill to skirt impact assessment law for ‘national interest' projects
OTTAWA - The federal government is developing a 'national interest' bill to fast-track nation-building projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process as a substitute for reviews under the Impact Assessment Act. A briefing document obtained by The Canadian Press indicates the legislation would lay out the criteria to decide if a project is in the national interest. Once that's decided, a single federal minister would be named to oversee a review process laying out how the project can be built. The document, dated May 23, was prepared for consultations between the Privy Council Office, or PCO, and provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners on the government's major projects strategy. PCO officials met with those partners as recently as Wednesday night to go over the proposal. It's expected to be a topic of conversation at the upcoming first ministers meeting in Saskatoon on June 2. Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on a promise to push big projects forward swiftly as Canada seeks to decouple its economy from an increasingly unpredictable and unreliable United States and turn itself into an energy superpower. He announced the plan after meeting with Canada's premiers two days before the election was called before making it the keystone of his election platform. 'We are going to build, baby, build,' Carney said in his victory speech after Canadians elected his Liberal party to a fourth consecutive mandate on April 28. The document, identified as a 'background' paper on 'National Interest Legislation,' says U.S. tariffs and 'other trade-distorting policies have put Canada's economic future at risk.' It then outlines the steps the government is planning to hasten the approval process for a 'small number' of major projects. Part of the plan involves drafting criteria to decide whether a project is in the national interest. Those criteria could include 'whether a project will make an exceptional contribution to Canada's prosperity, advances economic security, defence security and national autonomy through improved movement of goods, services and people,' the document says. 'Projects should strengthen access of Canadian resource, goods and services to a diverse group of reliable trade partners,' it says. Projects would also be assessed against Indigenous and provincial and territorial interests and on their 'clean growth potential,' according to the document. 'Once a project is determined to be in the national interest, federal reviews will shift from 'whether' to build these projects to 'how' to best advance them,' the document reads. 'It will streamline multiple decision points for federal approval and minimize the risk of not securing project approval following extensive project work.' The aim, according to the document, is to build more flexibility into the regulatory process and allow the government to decide that all federal regulatory requirements have been satisfied through a regulatory order. A designated minister would also have the power to impose conditions on those projects. 'The order would effectively substitute the determination for 'downstream' decisions about whether the project can proceed, including decisions under the Impact Assessment Act,' the document says. That would effectively circumvent C-69, the Impact Assessment Act. Conservative critics have claimed it has prevented projects from being built. The document says the intent is to 'send a clear signal early that will build investor confidence' and get projects built faster. The proposed legislation would not cover decisions made by arm's length authorities or regulators, federal-provincial entities or treaty-based processes in the North, the document says. It also commits to upholding Canada's obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The document also indicates the government may have further plans for speeding up major projects — it refers to 'broader reform' required to get all projects down to a two-year decision timeline. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ottawa tabling bill to skirt impact assessment law for ‘national interest' projects
OTTAWA – The federal government is developing a 'national interest' bill to fast-track nation-building projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process as a substitute for reviews under the Impact Assessment Act. A briefing document obtained by The Canadian Press indicates the legislation would lay out the criteria to decide if a project is in the national interest. Once that's decided, a single federal minister would be named to oversee a review process laying out how the project can be built. The document, dated May 23, was prepared for consultations between the Privy Council Office, or PCO, and provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners on the government's major projects strategy. PCO officials met with those partners as recently as Wednesday night to go over the proposal. It's expected to be a topic of conversation at the upcoming first ministers meeting in Saskatoon on June 2. Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on a promise to push big projects forward swiftly as Canada seeks to decouple its economy from an increasingly unpredictable and unreliable United States and turn itself into an energy superpower. He announced the plan after meeting with Canada's premiers two days before the election was called before making it the keystone of his election platform. 'We are going to build, baby, build,' Carney said in his victory speech after Canadians elected his Liberal party to a fourth consecutive mandate on April 28. The document, identified as a 'background' paper on 'National Interest Legislation,' says U.S. tariffs and 'other trade-distorting policies have put Canada's economic future at risk.' It then outlines the steps the government is planning to hasten the approval process for a 'small number' of major projects. Part of the plan involves drafting criteria to decide whether a project is in the national interest. Those criteria could include 'whether a project will make an exceptional contribution to Canada's prosperity, advances economic security, defence security and national autonomy through improved movement of goods, services and people,' the document says. 'Projects should strengthen access of Canadian resource, goods and services to a diverse group of reliable trade partners,' it says. Projects would also be assessed against Indigenous and provincial and territorial interests and on their 'clean growth potential,' according to the document. 'Once a project is determined to be in the national interest, federal reviews will shift from 'whether' to build these projects to 'how' to best advance them,' the document reads. 'It will streamline multiple decision points for federal approval and minimize the risk of not securing project approval following extensive project work.' The aim, according to the document, is to build more flexibility into the regulatory process and allow the government to decide that all federal regulatory requirements have been satisfied through a regulatory order. A designated minister would also have the power to impose conditions on those projects. 'The order would effectively substitute the determination for 'downstream' decisions about whether the project can proceed, including decisions under the Impact Assessment Act,' the document says. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. That would effectively circumvent C-69, the Impact Assessment Act. Conservative critics have claimed it has prevented projects from being built. The document says the intent is to 'send a clear signal early that will build investor confidence' and get projects built faster. The proposed legislation would not cover decisions made by arm's length authorities or regulators, federal-provincial entities or treaty-based processes in the North, the document says. It also commits to upholding Canada's obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The document also indicates the government may have further plans for speeding up major projects — it refers to 'broader reform' required to get all projects down to a two-year decision timeline. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ottawa tabling bill to skirt impact assessment law for 'national interest' projects
OTTAWA — The federal government is developing a "national interest" bill to fast-track nation-building projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process as a substitute for reviews under the Impact Assessment Act. A briefing document obtained by The Canadian Press indicates the legislation would lay out the criteria to decide if a project is in the national interest. Once that's decided, a single federal minister would be named to oversee a review process laying out how the project can be built. The document, dated May 23, was prepared for consultations between the Privy Council Office, or PCO, and provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners on the government's major projects strategy. PCO officials met with those partners as recently as Wednesday night to go over the proposal. It's expected to be a topic of conversation at the upcoming first ministers meeting in Saskatoon on June 2. Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on a promise to push big projects forward swiftly as Canada seeks to decouple its economy from an increasingly unpredictable and unreliable United States and turn itself into an energy superpower. He announced the plan after meeting with Canada's premiers two days before the election was called before making it the keystone of his election platform. "We are going to build, baby, build,' Carney said in his victory speech after Canadians elected his Liberal party to a fourth consecutive mandate on April 28. The document, identified as a "background" paper on "National Interest Legislation," says U.S. tariffs and "other trade-distorting policies have put Canada's economic future at risk." It then outlines the steps the government is planning to hasten the approval process for a "small number" of major projects. Part of the plan involves drafting criteria to decide whether a project is in the national interest. Those criteria could include "whether a project will make an exceptional contribution to Canada's prosperity, advances economic security, defence security and national autonomy through improved movement of goods, services and people," the document says. "Projects should strengthen access of Canadian resource, goods and services to a diverse group of reliable trade partners," it says. Projects would also be assessed against Indigenous and provincial and territorial interests and on their "clean growth potential," according to the document. "Once a project is determined to be in the national interest, federal reviews will shift from 'whether' to build these projects to 'how' to best advance them," the document reads. "It will streamline multiple decision points for federal approval and minimize the risk of not securing project approval following extensive project work." The aim, according to the document, is to build more flexibility into the regulatory process and allow the government to decide that all federal regulatory requirements have been satisfied through a regulatory order. A designated minister would also have the power to impose conditions on those projects. "The order would effectively substitute the determination for 'downstream' decisions about whether the project can proceed, including decisions under the Impact Assessment Act," the document says. That would effectively circumvent C-69, the Impact Assessment Act. Conservative critics have claimed it has prevented projects from being built. The document says the intent is to "send a clear signal early that will build investor confidence" and get projects built faster. The proposed legislation would not cover decisions made by arm's length authorities or regulators, federal-provincial entities or treaty-based processes in the North, the document says. It also commits to upholding Canada's obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The document also indicates the government may have further plans for speeding up major projects — it refers to "broader reform" required to get all projects down to a two-year decision timeline. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025 Nick Murray, The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
