June 6, 2025 (Coast Salish Territory): Today, the Government of Canada tabled legislation in the House of Commons to streamline the approval of major projects that are deemed by the Crown to be “in the national interest.” FNMPC is calling on the Government of Canada to ensure that First Nations are true partners at every step of the process, including to ensure that the legislation and regulations explicitly respect and protect Aboriginal and treaty rights, upholds the UNDRIP principles of FPIC, and advances the economic and environmental interests of First Nations across the country. In its submission to the Government, the FNMPC emphasized that First Nations must play a central role in the decision-making process around national-interest projects and that no national strategy to improve project delivery will succeed without embedding Indigenous partnership as a foundational element
“We understand the federal government’s interest in moving fast to build out Canada’s next generation of nation-building energy, mining, and infrastructure projects,” said Sharleen Gale, Executive Chairperson of FNMPC’s Board of Directors. “But history has shown us that speed without partnership leads to delay—not progress. This legislation could be a turning point if it is designed and administered in true partnership with First Nations.”
While more information is expected to become available in the coming weeks, the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) is encouraged that there are explicit references to the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate Indigenous rights-holders and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) pursuant to the federal United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. In addition, the FNMPC is encouraged to see that “[advancing] the interests of Indigenous peoples” is identified as a factor that will be considered in making national-interest determinations.
“As with all initiatives seeking to expedite major project development, it is essential that the Government proceed in a way that does not repeat past policy failures. First Nations are not obstacles to developing a national economy that promises prosperity for all Canadians. First Nations oppose proposals that ignore or dismiss our legitimate concerns as constitutionally protected rights-holders in the name of expediency and create a false sense of division and tension. We want meaningful partnerships—and we expect nation-to-nation collaboration,” said Mark Podlasly, CEO of FNMPC.
Many First Nations across the country are ready to partner on, lead, co-own, and own major projects that benefit the Canadian economy. The experiences of FNMPC’s membership and First Nations across the country are a testament to this: projects advance faster and with much greater legitimacy when First Nations are involved from the beginning as economic beneficiaries and environmental stewards. This could include:
- Economic participation obligations in national-interest project agreements, such as equity ownership or revenue sharing with impacted rights-holders.
- Access to capital through federal loan guarantees and concessional financing, and pooled investment vehicles tailored to Indigenous priorities.
- Embedded procurement requirements to ensure Indigenous businesses and labour are integrated into project supply chains.
- Recognition of First Nation approval processes as legitimate pathways.
- Transparent metrics and reporting on Indigenous inclusion tied to project approvals.
FNMPC commends the Government for its initiative to build a stronger Canada, but the national interest must not be defined exclusively by economic interests. It must reflect the honour of the Crown, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the environmental and social well-being of the country and all Canadians. If designed and implemented in partnership with First Nations, the measures set out in this legislation could mark a turning point in the Crown-First Nation relationship. It could help demonstrate that faster approvals and deeper reconciliation are not mutually exclusive—but mutually reinforcing. Advancing without strong Indigenous support will diminish certainty, invite delays, and erode legitimacy, all of which would risk derailing the very outcomes that this legislation means to secure at such an important moment in Canadian history. To ensure that a positive outcome is realized, FNMPC will continue to advocate on behalf of its members to ensure a positive outcome for First Nations.
“We can be stronger together if we do this right,” said Gale. “This is the moment to build a modern, inclusive approach to major project development in Canada—one that moves at the pace of trust.”
Media contact:
Scott Cavan
Vice President, Member and External Relations
First Nations Major Projects Coalition