The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is calling on the federal government to reject Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, as an endangerment to Indigenous authority.
"This Bill puts Canada on a collision course with the inherent rights and title of Indigenous peoples," reads a June 17 statement by the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG). The second reading was passed on June 16, with 305 'yeas' and 29 'nays.'
An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act was presented for its first reading in the House of Commons by Mark Carney's government on June 6. It comes just a few months after Carney's Liberal government was elected on a campaign which promised removing provincial trading barriers to offset the impact of U.S. president Donald Trump's tariffs. Carney also promised to help Canada's economy grow by speeding up the review process for nation-building projects.
"Today’s legislation will remove federal barriers to internal trade, unleash Canada’s economic potential, and get major, nation-building projects built faster across the country," said Mark Carney in a June 6 Intergovernmental Affairs press release. "It’s time to build big, build bold, and build now.”
During the One Canadian Economy Act's second reading, Conservative Party of Canada MP for the Skeena-Bulkey Valley region Elllis Ross said the bill can be broken into two parts, the first is about breaking down provincial barriers and the second, he said, is about exemptions from environmental assessments in Canada.
Ross agreed it is important for the country to build a strong economy, and noted that environmental assessments are a long and costly part of the process. The bill in question, he said, would exempt projects from these assessments at a national level, but not at a provincial level.
However, Ross raised concerns about how the government would ensure exemptions are appropriate.
"Bill C-5 is now saying the government will forego an environmental assessment and give an exemption if it is politically acceptable to it. That would cut down on time and money, but how many groups will be lobbying the government to get on that exemption list? How will the government ensure that the lobbying is done openly, transparently and fairly?"
Ross went on to say more time was needed to give the bill a full debate and allow all MPs to speak on behalf of their riding.
"These processes have been in place, in formation over decades," Ross said about the environmental assessments which help to ensure Aboriginal Rights and Title are respected and projects follow high standards. "But now, in one day, we are going to wipe that all out...surely we are not going to cut corners with aboriginals on aboriginal rights and title, consultation and accommodation."
In fact, TNG said the bill violates the nation's obligation to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act which is affirmed by law in Canada.
"After years of hard-fought progress, Bill C-5 risks turning back the clock to a time when battles over natural resources consumed entire decades of relations between Canada and First Nations," writes the release.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May also opposed the bill, holding a press conference on June 16 during which she said she had never seen a bill of its kind nor a process to push a bill through so quickly.
"Trampling on parliamentary democracy does nothing for unemployed workers. Bulldozing through democratic process does nothing to build our economy," May said. "C5 and the programming motion together represent a new low, or perhaps a new high in contempt for parliament itself."
Across Canada, First Nations are expressing their opposition to the bill as a violation of their rights and a threat to democracy.
"The federal government cannot cloak violations of our rights under the guise of national interest," said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip in a June 12 press release by the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. The union has unanimously resolved to opposed the fast-tracking legislation and is calling for its immediate withdrawal.
"We will not allow Crown governments to sidestep their legal obligations or erase decades of progress through legislative shortcuts," added Chief Marilyn Slett, the union's secretary-treasurer. "We stand with all First Nations, including those in Ontario, who oppose this regressive legislation. Our resistance will be strategic and united.”
The act is summarized as legislation which would facilitate movement of labour and goods across provinces by removing federal barriers and accounts for the ongoing protection of the health, safety and security of Canadians, their social and economic well-being and the environment.
But First Nations across the country have expressed an urgent opposition to the bill for its potential to see natural resource projects fast-tracked without appropriate consultation with First Nations.
"First Nations are not opposed to development. We want to build and we want to partner. But we cannot accept a law that can remove us from the consultation process,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict in a June 14 press release published by the Chiefs of Ontario.
Nations have also criticized the speed at which the government has brought forward the bill, claiming there's been little opportunity for First Nations rights holders to respond and calling the process "undemocratic."
"A meaningful role in development cannot be reduced to a checkbox," said Temagami First Nation Chief Shelly Moore who sits on the Chiefs of Ontario Leadership Council. "Our rights are not obstacles. They are the foundation of this country’s future.”
In Alberta, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations called Bill C-5 an "attack" on treaty rights.
“This Bill is being rushed through parliament with a design to give the cabinet power to bulldoze our Rights,” said Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais in the confederacy's June 17 press release demanding parliament halt the bill.
TNG recalled its decades-long fight which led to the country's first declaration of Aboriginal title, and said it will not stand to see any projects come to its territories without their consent, "no matter what laws are passed by the federal government."
Bill C-5 is currently being reviewed by Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities for modifications or approval. Once the bill is approved by the committee, it will be reported back to the House of Commons where there is further opportunity for amendments before a third reading would take place.
Once a bill passes its third reading, it still require Royal Assent before becoming law.
