First Nations Leaders Frustrated After Bill C-5 Talks With PM Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with hundreds of First Nations chiefs to discuss Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act, which allows the federal government to fast-track major projects deemed of national interest, often without requiring consent from Indigenous communities. While Carney emphasized the need to reduce regulatory barriers and described the meeting as a constructive process toward consensus, many First Nations leaders expressed frustration over the lack of proper consultation and the legislation's potential to override treaty rights and impact their way of life. Chief Kelly LaRocca criticized the government for sidelining Indigenous rights despite Canada's endorsement of the United Nations declaration on free, prior, and informed consent, calling the federal approach damaging to reconciliation. The Assembly of First Nations also criticized the closed-door nature of the discussions and the limited opportunities for chiefs to engage directly with the prime minister. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty described the summit as a valuable learning experience and a starting point for ongoing dialogue. Carney plans to hold similar meetings with Inuit and Métis leaders to further address concerns related to Bill C-5.