Carney Acknowledges Need for Fullest Conversations on Controversial Legislation

Ottawa - As concerns and warnings of Indigenous resistance against a key part of his governing agenda continue to rise, Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged on Friday that "more fulsome conversations are needed" to choose the development projects his government wants to fast-track through controversial new legislation, Bill C-5. Carney's acknowledgement comes after the bill passed third reading in the House of Commons, prompting his pledge to hold meetings in the coming weeks with First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders and experts in a series of summits to "launch the implementation of this legislation in the right way" in "full partnership" with Indigenous communities. This will be the "first step" in the process to choose which projects will be chosen through the new legislation for the fast-track to approval within the government's goal of two years.

Key Takeaways:

• Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged the need for more fulsome conversations with Indigenous communities to choose development projects through Bill C-5.
• Carney pledged to hold meetings in the coming weeks with First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders and experts to launch the implementation of the legislation in a "full partnership" with Indigenous communities.
• Carney promised to respect Indigenous rights to consultation and "free, prior and informed consent" under the United Nations Declaration to the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• The government House Leader expects the bill to pass in the Senate next week.
• The bill aims to fast-track development projects like mines, pipelines, and ports to boost economic growth and make Canada a "superpower" in clean power and fossil fuels.
• Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty described the promised summits as a "serious signal" that Indigenous communities will be "at the table" in deciding how projects will be chosen.
• The bill passed through the House of Commons in two votes with all parties supporting a less contentious section to lift federal barriers to trade and labour movement inside Canada.
• The bill's national projects part dealing with major projects passed with Liberals and Conservatives voting en masse in favour, while Bloc Québécois, NDP, and Green MPs voted against.
• Business groups like the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have supported the legislation, arguing that a thicket of government regulations has delayed major projects.
• The bill remains controversial, with predictions of Indigenous resistance and protest, including from some Indigenous leaders warning it could inspire a movement like the 2012 "Idle No More" movement due to a lack of consultation.

Statistics:

• The government aims to approve development projects within two years.
• The bill retained its proposal to allow the cabinet to choose projects to fast-track based on "any factor" it considers relevant.
• The bill creates a new requirement for the government to publish a suite of information about the projects at least 30 days before it officially puts them into the fast-track process.
• The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to pass next week.
• The Canadian Chamber of Commerce supported the legislation, arguing that a thicket of government regulations has delayed major projects.

Sources:

• www.thestar.com
• The Canadian Press