Thursday, June 19, 2025 - Earlier this month, the federal government tabled the Act to Enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act (Bill C-5). Bill C-5 would give the Government of Canada the power to bypass crucial checks and balances contained in the Impact Assessment Act (Bill-69) for projects deemed to be “nation-building projects.”
The Ecology Action Centre (EAC) is concerned that the deliberately vague language and dangerous precedent set by this legislation could fast-track risky energy and resource extraction infrastructure, undermine Canada’s duty to consult with First Nations and give government the power to avoid necessary impact assessments for potentially harmful projects.
What do we mean when we say nation-building?
We cannot talk about “nation-building” without the meaningful involvement of the nations whose land we are on. Any attempt to circumvent Canada’s duty to include Indigenous Rights Holders in decision making for large-scale projects is simply unacceptable.
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) said that while the AFN supports “efforts to protect Canada from geopolitical and economic uncertainty,” First Nations are concerned that Bill C-5 “has the potential to violate many [of their] collective rights... respecting lands, water, resources, inherent title, rights, jurisdiction and Treaty.”
Projects that are truly in the long-term interest of our country – such as interprovincial transmission lines – offer Canada an unprecedented opportunity to advance reconciliation with First Nations. Nova Scotia's recent proposal to connect its grid to the rest of Canada through a “Wind West” transmission project is one such example – but only if it is done right. By centring Indigenous decision-making, facilitating co-ownership of infrastructure and sustainable planning, the federal government can ensure the success of projects that improve affordability, enhance energy security, help us transition away from fossil fuels and bolster our economic independence. Failure to do so undermines Canada’s constitutional duties and risks lengthy, expensive court cases that would burden taxpayers and slow projects down.
These projects must move forward in partnership with First Nations – otherwise the term “nation-building” is little more than political double-speak.
The Wasoqonatl Intertie: a model for successful nation-building projects
There are currently successful interprovincial projects with key Indigenous partnerships in place that we can learn from. The most recent example is the Wasoqonatl Intertie. This transmission interconnection – which connects the grids of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick – is a partnership between both provinces, the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Wskijinu'k Mtmo'taqnuow Agency Ltd. (WMA). The WMA is an economic development partnership owned by all 13 Mi’kmaq Nations in Nova Scotia. As such, all 13 nations are meaningfully involved in the planning process and will receive long-term financial benefits.
In addition to furthering economic reconciliation, the intertie will increase energy trade, improve resilience, provide jobs and facilitate GPD growth. This model should be the standard practice for large projects – not an exception.
Threats to the climate and environment
The weakening of the Impact Assessment Act through Bill C-5 not only hinders meaningful Indigenous partnership – it also puts our climate and environment at risk. Even if a project has the potential to further Canada’s sustainability – like renewable energy or interprovincial transition lines – potential environmental harms must be evaluated and mitigated. The checks and balances contained in the Impact Assessment Act are designed to do just this. Approving a project before it is subject to this necessary scrutiny could result in disastrous consequences.
With the federal government currently spreading the false notion of “decarbonized oil” – a concept pulled straight from industry talking points – legislation that weakens crucial environmental safeguards is especially concerning. The consensus is absolutely clear: with devastating wildfires, biodiversity loss and more frequent and severe storms already at our doorstep, we simply cannot afford the fast-tracking of environmentally disastrous, short-sighted projects.
Who does Bill C-5 actually serve?
If Bill C-5 hinders meaningful Indigenous consultation, bypasses democratic process and decreases environmental safeguards, Canadians should be asking: who does this legislation actually serve?
It is no secret that since it was introduced, the fossil fuel industry has repeatedly called for the Impact Assessment Act to be weakened or repealed. If Bill C-5 is passed without substantial amendments, they may very well get their wish: a means for government to expedite projects on their behalf despite opposition from the public, Indigenous Rights Holders and environmental experts.
The impacts of such projects have already proven to be disastrous. The purchase of the Trans-Mountain Pipeline ballooned from its original $4.5 billion to a whopping $34 billion, and according to former Environment Minister Katherine McKenna, Canadian taxpayers are unlikely to ever see a return on that investment.
If Bill C-5 allows even more of these short-sighted projects to be rammed through without scrutiny, everyday Canadians are the ones who will be left holding the bag – as billionaire-backed corporations continue to rake in historic profits while destroying our chance of passing on a livable planet to future generations.
If the government is serious about nation-building, it needs to ensure that projects are in the interest of the public, not just the fossil fuel industry and its shareholders.
True nation-building projects don’t need to hide from proper assessment
The EAC is calling on the federal government to heavily amend Bill C-5. There is no question that Canada must seek ways of increasing its economic independence and swiftly build projects that safeguard our future – economically, socially and environmentally.
But these projects must be done right.
They must be done in meaningful partnership with Indigenous Rights Holders, support the interests of everyday citizens and safeguard the health of our environment for future generations. This cannot be accomplished by weakening the Impact Assessment Act.
Indigenous rights, democratic process and environmental safeguards are not a hindrance to a truly nation-building project. In reality, such a project cannot exist without them.