Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Responds to Canada’s Proposed Fast-Tracking of Major Projects
Press Release
Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba — The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is reiterating concerns it has repeatedly raised with Canada through submissions, correspondence, and public statements regarding the federal government’s “building faster” and “one project, one review” approach to major project approvals and impact assessment reform.
The AMC warns that the proposed changes risk weakening First Nations jurisdiction, environmental protections, and meaningful consultation in favour of accelerated approvals and investor certainty.
“First Nations are not opposed to development. Our Nations want to be part of Canada’s economic future,” said Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. “But development cannot come at the expense of our Treaty rights, our laws, or our responsibilities to protect the lands and waters for future generations.”
Canada’s proposed reforms — alongside measures such as Bill C-5 and the broader “one project, one review” agenda — would centralize decision-making, reduce independent oversight, rely more heavily on provincial processes, and create pathways for projects or economic zones to move ahead before affected First Nations have had a meaningful opportunity to exercise jurisdiction or provide Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
The AMC notes that First Nations leadership already called for a reset on this approach following the signing of the Canada–Manitoba Co-operation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment earlier this year. AMC and the AFN Manitoba Region warned that the agreement was developed without meaningful First Nations involvement and called for a Treaty-centred, tripartite process grounded in First Nations jurisdiction and consent.
“First Nations have been clear and consistent: we must be at the table as governments, not consulted after decisions have already been made,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “Our Treaty relationship requires a Treaty-centred approach grounded in respect for First Nations jurisdiction and consent.”
The AMC has consistently warned that so-called “streamlining” measures repeat the same colonial patterns First Nations have challenged for generations: decisions made without First Nations, development imposed without consent, and regulatory systems designed around the interests of governments and industry rather than Treaty relationships and First Nations laws.
“As First Nations, we have seen what happens when governments place speed and investor certainty ahead of meaningful consent,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “Those approaches have led to conflict, environmental harm, and a deep erosion of trust between First Nations and the Crown.”
The proposed reforms would:
- shorten review timelines to one year;
- expand substitution and harmonization with provincial regimes;
- allow consolidated federal approvals;
- create federal economic zones that could bypass separate project reviews; and
- permit certain construction activities before impact decisions are finalized.
The AMC says these measures raise serious concerns that Canada is moving toward a system where speed takes precedence over Treaty obligations, environmental stewardship, and First Nations consent. The AMC recognizes that First Nations must be included in major project development and economic growth. However, participation cannot come at the expense of First Nations’ responsibilities to protect lands, waters, medicines, wildlife, sacred sites, and traditional ways of life.
“If Canada is serious about partnership, then First Nations must be involved as full decision-makers from the beginning — not brought into consultation processes after the direction has already been set,” said Grand Chief Wilson.
The AMC is also calling for legally binding First Nations-led environmental and cultural impact assessments with equal authority in project decision-making processes.
“Any process that weakens environmental protections, overrides First Nations concerns, or accelerates approvals without meaningful consent is not reconciliation,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “It is a continuation of the same colonial approach that has harmed our Nations for generations.”
The AMC is calling on Canada to halt any legislative or regulatory reforms that weaken federal oversight, undermine First Nations jurisdiction, or reduce meaningful opportunities for participation and consent. The AMC further calls on Canada to work directly with First Nations governments as equal partners in any future reform process.
“History has already taught us what happens when governments place speed ahead of rights and respect,” Grand Chief Wilson said. “The result is conflict, litigation, environmental harm, and further erosion of trust. Canada cannot move forward by repeating the mistakes of the past.”
For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
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