First Nations call on feds to reject Bill C-5

Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives for a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations is calling on the federal government to reject a bill that would have the authority to override laws, rewrite environmental regulations and sidestep constitutional obligations.

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“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 a statement.

Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, would grant the federal cabinet sweeping powers to designate infrastructure projects in the national interest, fast-tracking approval through a single permit. The legislation would allow parliament to override environmental protections and public health safeguards.

The Confederacy also said the bill will quash the constitutionally protected right of First Nations without debate, consultation or consent.

“Once again, Canada is using our lands and resources without any consideration of our Treaty Rights,” said Desjarlais. “Canada claims it is responding to pressure from the U.S. — the so-called ‘bully’ — but in doing so, Canada is using that as an excuse to bully our Nations.”

The Confederacy said First Nations were given less than a week to respond to a summary of the bill and the full text was actually never provided.

Kehewin Cree Nation Chief Vernon Watchmaker also expressed disappointment with the piece of legislation.

“Ignoring treaty concerns is not just a legal oversight,” said Watchmaker in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon. “It is an ethical and moral failure.”

“The government must respect the spirit and intent of treaty agreements, not bypass them for the sake of expediency.”

Chiefs of Ontario issued a statement over the weekend calling on the feds to revoke the bill. A rally organized by the Chiefs of Ontario leadership council will be held on Parliament Hill Tuesday afternoon.

CTV News Edmonton reached out to the Government of Canada for comment but has yet to hear back.