July 17,2025
The Canadian Press
Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government has started dialogue with First Nations leaders who are challenging new federal and provincial laws designed to fast-track major infrastructure projects.
Carney, who is set to meet with Indigenous leaders today, defended the federal law—Bill C-5—saying it will still allow for consultations on what he calls “nation-building projects.”
However, nine First Nations in Ontario have launched a legal challenge, asking the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to declare both Bill C-5 and Ontario’s counterpart, Bill 5, unconstitutional. They are also seeking an injunction to stop governments from implementing some of the most contentious parts of the legislation.
Chief Sheri Taylor of Ginoogaming First Nation argues the new laws are a direct attempt to bypass Indigenous rights, prioritizing speed over meaningful consultation.
“These laws were created to rush through projects without working with us,” Taylor said.
The First Nations say the laws pose a “clear and present danger” to their rights and way of life. In court documents, they claim the legislation threatens their self-determination and violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including the right to life, liberty, and security of the person, as well as equality rights.
Bill C-5 gives the federal cabinet the power to fast-track approvals for major projects—such as mines, ports, and pipelines—by overriding existing regulations if a project is deemed in the national interest. Ontario’s Bill 5 allows its cabinet to suspend provincial and municipal laws to create “special economic zones” that facilitate rapid development.
Both governments say the laws are needed to speed up economic development and respond to trade pressures from U.S. tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump.
In a joint statement, the First Nations leaders clarified they are not opposed to development but insist it must respect Indigenous rights and include meaningful consultation.
“This is not a fight over whether there should be development or not,” said Chief Todd Cornelius of the Oneida Nation of the Thames. “It’s about doing it recklessly versus doing it right.”
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