Ottawa pushes fast-tracked approvals as Carney promises roundtables with First Nations in July
Canada’s Senate is reviewing Bill C-5, which would give cabinet powers to fast-track economic projects deemed in the national interest — a move that, according to BNN Bloomberg, aims to accelerate infrastructure and energy development across the country under a centralised approval framework.
According to CBC News, the bill passed the House last week with both Liberal and Conservative support, but its future hinges on whether the Senate approves it unamended before rising for the summer.
According to Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, the legislation aims to establish a single point of contact for major project proponents and to “make sure things stay on track.”
He said it will also introduce a central coordination office and an Indigenous Advisory Council, coupled with a “rigorous” environmental review process to inform “a single set of binding federal conditions for the project.”
Hodgson argued the legislation will shift focus from whether a project gets built to how it gets built.
In an address to the Toronto Region Board of Trade, Hodgson described the initiative as a “wartime effort” to mobilise the economy and called on businesses to “bring your best ideas forward.”
Citing Canada’s post-Second World War transformation, he said “Now, we must stand side-by-side once again, from coast to coast to coast, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, industries, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. We need that same spirit today.”
The bill, formally titled the One Canadian Economy Act, would allow cabinet to bypass existing laws such as the Impact Assessment Act.
As per CBC, Prime Minister Mark Carney has promoted the legislation as a way to “build big, build bold,” focusing on projects that support economic growth, clean energy, and Indigenous participation.
Hodgson highlighted Ontario’s nuclear energy capacity — which supplies 58 percent of the province’s electricity — as a model for national strategic development.
He said the technology has been exported globally and credited it with helping other countries avoid “over 30 million tonnes of pollution annually.”
He also noted that Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick are collaborating on small modular reactor development.
In addition, Hodgson pointed to growing demand for Canadian critical minerals. “At the G7, all of the countries said they wanted to buy Canadian critical minerals,” he said.
“Right now, at the NATO what the prime minister is hearing is that all of those countries want to buy our critical minerals. This is an opportunity for us.”
But the bill has met criticism over its pace and the level of consultation with Indigenous communities.
According to CBC, the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said Indigenous rights holders were “shut out” during the legislative process and that many communities have had insufficient time to ask questions or raise concerns.
“We all need more time and opportunity to speak to this legislation and get answers,” she told the House transport committee.
Kebaowek First Nation Chief Lance Haymond described the process as “a case study in how not to engage with Indigenous nations,” warning of possible unrest.
As reported by CBC, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler urged the Governor General to consider intervention before granting Royal Assent.
Senator Paul Prosper, a Mi’kmaw representative from Nova Scotia, is expected to introduce an amendment to address the lack of consultation.
He told reporters, “If you don’t do it right, we’re looking at some potential litigation in the future. It’s best to be proactive now.”
According to CBC, Government Representative in the Senate Marc Gold said he hopes the bill will pass unamended, citing its constitutional grounding and alignment with the government’s electoral mandate.
“The government will speak against amendments if it comes to that and try to persuade the majority of senators to agree with us,” Gold said.
If amended, the bill would need to return to the House of Commons — which has already adjourned until September.
That could delay the government’s plans to begin consultations with provinces, Indigenous communities, and private sector proponents this summer.
Carney has scheduled a series of roundtables beginning July 17 with First Nations rights holders in Ottawa, followed by meetings with Inuit and Métis leadership later in the summer.
As reported by CBC, Carney said, “The literal launch of the process of this nation-building process is with First Nations, literally in full partnership.”
The government has stated that the bill does not name specific projects, but Carney has signalled interest in energy corridors, electricity grids, expanded ports, and mining initiatives.
The Senate has agreed to study and vote on the bill by Friday, according to Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon. “It’s a very important legislation that has massive support among Canadians,” he said.
While the bill provides a framework rather than approvals, Gold noted that there will be further opportunities for consultation when individual proposals are reviewed.
“These projects won’t happen overnight,” he said.
