AFN chief warns Carney against 'abusing' majority to pass new major projects bill

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-22 18:30:50.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Energy, Labour, Indigenous, Governance]

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has warned Prime Minister Mark Carney against abusing majority government powers to pass Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. The legislation shifts project reviews for major infrastructure such as pipelines and power transmission lines from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to the Canada Energy Regulator while also proposing amendments to the Canada Labour Code. The AFN chief criticized the federal government for limiting debate and consultations, stating that staff in the Alberta-based major projects office lack understanding of First Nations rights and demanding that leadership be permitted to bring forward legislative amendments.