AFN criticizes federal push to set timelines for major project approvals
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak is opposing the federal government's Bill C-39, which aims to set one-year timelines for major project approvals. She argues that rushing consultations undermines the honour of the Crown and ignores Indigenous rights.
Why it matters
The tension between economic development timelines and Indigenous consultation rights is a central conflict in Canadian federal policy and resource management.
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, shown at a news conference on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, said consultations on projects should not be rushed. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations is criticizing the federal government’s push to set firm timelines for development decisions on major new projects, saying consultations can’t be rushed.
On Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney ’s government introduced Bill C-39 , the Building Canada Strong Act, which ministers said will bring in a system where new projects will face a single federal government review and receive a decision within a year.
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said consultations on major projects should not be time-limited.
“One year’s tight,” she said during a news conference on Parliament Hill on Tuesday.
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