Deal speeding up environmental reviews attracts criticism from Mi’kmaq rights, conservation groups – Frequency News
January 6, 2026
New Brunswick has signed a deal with the federal government meant to speed up the development of major projects, but critics say the new approach threatens to water down environmental assessments while sidelining First Nations.
Under the agreement announced recently by Premier Susan Holt and federal Cabinet Minister Dominic LeBlanc, projects that normally require provincial and federal environmental assessments will instead “when possible” go through an accelerated process.
Government officials insist that the “one project, one review” approach will improve efficiency without sacrificing environmental protections or the constitutional duty to consult with and accommodate First Nations.
But the deal has provoked criticism from Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc., which represents eight Mi’kmaq communities in New Brunswick on matters of Indigenous rights, and from the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
