AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney on September 22, 2026, regarding the Building Canada Strong Act. She cautioned the federal government against bypassing essential First Nations consultations to expedite major infrastructure projects.
The Building Canada Strong Act and the Canada Energy Regulator
The proposed Building Canada Strong Act seeks to accelerate the approval process for massive infrastructure projects,specifically targeting pipelines and power transmission lines. As the report says , the legislation would shift the responsibility for reviewing these projects from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to the Canada Energy Regulator. This move is designed to streamline approvals and reduce the time it takes for projects to move from planning to construction.
Beyond environmental and energy oversight, the Building Canada Strong Act also proposes significant changes to the Canada Labour Code. According to the source, the Liberal government tabled these changes specifically to avert labour disruptions that could stall major projects, signaling a priority for industrial stability over traditional regulatory deliberation.
Echoes of the 2025 Major Projects Legislation
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak warned that Prime Minister Mark Carney risks "dishonouring the Crown" if the government limiits debate and consultation. This warning is not based on a hypothetical fear but on a specific precedent;the AFN National Chief noted that a similar lack of consultation occurred when the government passed its previous major projects legislation in 2025.
The Assembly of First Nations has spent years pressing for a more meaningful role in decisions that affect traditional territories. By attempting to fast-track the Building Canada Strong Act, the Carney administration appears to be repeating a pattern of legislative aggression that prioritizes speed over the legal and ethical obligations of the Crown toward Indigenous peoples.
Trade War Pressures and the Alberta-Based Projects Office
The urgency driving Prime Minister Mark Carney's legislative agenda is tied to a volatile geopolitical climate, including a trade war and a looming referendum in Alberta. Federal ministers have argued that the Building Canada Strong Act is necessary to boost employment and secure the economy as Canada navigates a changing trade relationship with the United States.
However, the operational capacity of the government is under scrutiny. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak specifically highlighted the federal government's Alberta-based projects office, claiming that the staff there "do not know what they are doing" regarding First Nations relations. This suggests a disconnect between the Prime Minister's high-level economic goals and the actual competence of the officials tasked with managing Indigenous consultations on the ground.
Will Carney Accept Amendments from First Nations Leaders?
A primary point of contention remains whether the Carney government will allow First Nations leaders to bring forward and implement amendments to the Building Canada Strong Act. While the AFN General Assembly is prioritizing the establishment of timelines that allow for proper consultation, the federal government has not yet confirmed if it is open to such changes.
The report notes that the government has not responded to the specific concerns raised by the AFN National Chief. This silence, coupled with the NDP leader's claim that Mark Carney is simply fast-tracking a "corporate Canada's wish list," leaves it unclear whether the government views First Nations as partners in development or as obstacles to be managed.
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