OTTAWA — The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations has warned Prime Minister Mark Carney against “abusing” his majority government powers to pass the new major projects bill, which she said could trample on First Nations’ rights. “Yesterday we heard federal representatives describe Bill C-39 as the most consequential legislation in decades,” Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said on Parliament Hill on Tuesday. “If this is the case, the Assembly of First Nations expects the legislation to be matched by an equally consequential level of parliamentary consideration and public review.” The Building Canada Strong Act, introduced in the House of Commons by the Liberals on the first sitting day of the fall sitting, shifts the responsibility for reviewing many big projects, such as pipelines and power transmission lines, from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to the Canada Energy Regulator. It also proposes changes to the Canada Labour Code. Woodhouse Nepinak told reporters on Tuesday that Carney’s government risks dishonouring the Crown if it limits debate and consultations on the bill, as it did when it passed its major projects legislation in 2025. The federal government passed that sweeping legislation in just weeks last year. Indigenous leaders accused the federal government of sidestepping their rights and the Crown’s legal obligation to meaningfully consult with their communities on matters that could have adverse effects. After months of pushback, Carney vowed to meet this fall with First Nations chiefs and the country’s premiers. That meeting has been set for October in Ottawa. Proposed new “regions of national interest” outlined in Bill C-39 would afford projects within their boundaries the same treatment as projects of national interest. The legislation would require consultations before an area receives the designation and would allow special exemptions to a dozen different laws for projects within regions of national interest. The bill also proposes removing the responsibility for reviewing many big projects, such as pipelines and power transmission lines, from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. The Canada Energy Regulator would be responsible for handling reviews of international and interprovincial pipelines, transmission lines and offshore renewable energy projects. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission would handle reviews for nuclear and uranium projects. Senior government officials also said the bill looks to amend the Impact Assessment Act to establish one-year federal review timelines, while timelines for small and medium projects under the Canada Energy Regulator would be reduced from one year to six months. Asked if one year is long enough for First Nations to be properly consulted, Woodhouse Nepinak said there shouldn’t be a time constraint on First Nations’ participation in the process. “I get the government’s intent,” she said, citing the changing trade relationship with the United States and efforts to shore up the economy. “We all have to work together, But, at the same time, not on our rights.” Speaking at the United Nations on Tuesday, Carney said his government has always said it wants to work in partnership with Indigenous communities to get major projects built. But Woodhouse Nepinak said First Nations are not being included in discussions and are not seeing details of government proposals before they are made public. “The truth is any predetermined timeline principally designed to attract investment subordinated the honour of the Crown to commercial imperatives,” Woodhouse Nepinak said. “Today our rights are being threatened in new ways … But we are not afraid. Far from it.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2026. — With files from Nick Murray Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
