How Carney’s ‘build fast’ push divides Canada’s Indigenous peoples | Business and Economy
Vancouver, Canada – Prime Minister Mark Carney faces challenges in his efforts to unify Canadians in safeguarding the nation’s economy as he approaches his one-year anniversary in office. His administration’s aggressive agenda to expand resource extraction on Indigenous lands has led to increasing divisions among Indigenous communities across the country.
Experts are questioning how Carney’s government plans to implement its policies while upholding Indigenous rights, which are protected under Canada’s constitution. March 14 will mark the anniversary of Carney’s swearing-in, following a successful election that resulted in a minority government for the centrist Liberal Party, which garnered its highest share of the popular vote in four decades.
A cornerstone of Carney’s platform was his commitment to counter U.S. trade threats and enhance Canada’s economic sovereignty through what he termed an “elbows up” approach. “In the face of global trade shifts, we will build big and build fast to create a stronger, more sustainable, more independent economy,” Carney stated on March 6.
As part of this initiative, Carney announced the formation of a Major Projects Office aimed at expediting approvals for ten pivotal projects, including two liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, an open-pit mine in British Columbia, a nuclear plant in Ontario, a shipping terminal in Quebec, and wind power installations in Atlantic Canada. Collectively, these ventures are valued at 116 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $85 billion).
Carney’s firm stance in the ongoing U.S. trade dispute has received public backing, according to a March 3 survey conducted by Abacus Data, which indicated that 50% of respondents believe he is successfully protecting Canada’s interests, while 36% hold a contrary view.
Shady Hafez, an assistant professor of politics at Toronto Metropolitan University and a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, expressed concerns within Indigenous communities regarding the rapid development of these projects. “For that to happen, Canada needs land and resources, and it takes those lands and resources from us,” he said.
The backlash against Carney’s plans intensified following his November announcement regarding the controversial oil pipeline project in a deal with Alberta, Canada’s oil-producing province. Carney’s culture minister resigned, citing a lack of consultation with Indigenous nations and significant environmental concerns. Additionally, the Assembly of First Nations, which represents over 600 Indigenous chiefs, passed an emergency resolution opposing the new pipeline.
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak stated, “First Nations people support Canada against Trump’s illegal tariffs, but not at the expense of our rights.” She emphasized the necessity of including Indigenous communities in decision-making processes regarding development on their ancestral lands.
While Carney’s major project agenda is supported by some, including the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, which noted a more aggressive approach than his predecessor’s, opposition remains strong among others. Karen Ogen, CEO of the alliance, described the development of LNG and natural gas resources as crucial for benefiting First Nations communities, which continue to face socioeconomic challenges.
Sheryl Lightfoot, a political science professor at the University of Toronto and vice-chair of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, cautioned that economic initiatives are often advanced without adequate consultation with Indigenous communities. “It appears that economic or geopolitical pressures are being used to justify bypassing Indigenous rights and environmental safeguards,” she stated.
In response, Canada’s Major Projects Office has pledged to seek input and address concerns from Indigenous communities, asserting that it will not skip critical steps, including consultations.
The concentration of projects in British Columbia has added complexity, as historical treaties with First Nations in the province are sparse. While the region’s Indigenous groups have differing views on the fast-tracked initiatives, the Nisga’a Nation, which is partnering in the Ksi Lisims LNG project, asserts that the venture will bring extensive benefits to all Canadians.
However, opposition from neighboring First Nations continues. Tara Marsden, a director for the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, argued against the federal government’s lack of consultation and stated that the government cannot overlook First Nations’ opposition when determining the feasibility of these projects.
McGill University economics lecturer Julian Karaguesian emphasized the need for careful consultation with Indigenous communities to prevent resentment and foster cooperation. He asserted, “Once we’ve started compromising on economic and social justice, we can create bitterness.”
The principle of “free, prior and informed consent” remains a critical point of contention, asserting that marginalized communities must retain decision-making power over developments affecting their lands. Failure to adhere to this principle could hinder Carney’s ambitions and lead to protracted legal disputes, as Lightfoot noted.
With Carney’s approval ratings among First Nations mixed, the Prime Minister’s willingness to engage with Indigenous leaders has been acknowledged. Nevertheless, Woodhouse Nepinak stressed the importance of nurturing relationships, stating, “Carney is at a crossroads in his personal relationship with First Nations, and we understand First Nations rights are under threat in new ways by this government.”
