Carney Meets With Métis Leaders on Major Projects Legislation

Prime Minister Mark Carney said ahead of a meeting with Métis leaders on Aug. 7 that respecting the rights of indigenous communities is “at the core” of the recently passed bill around approving major projects.

Carney is meeting with the chiefs of three provincial Métis groups in Ottawa to discuss the One Canadian Economy Act, formerly known as Bill C-5, which speeds up the development of major projects such as pipelines, ports, and railways that are deemed of national interest.

While the prime minister meets with the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, and the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) declined an invitation to the meeting.

MMF President David Chartrand said in an Aug. 6 statement that he would not attend the meeting because of the inclusion of the MNO and its parent body, the Métis National Council. Chartrand accused the MNO of being built on “Indigenous identity fraud,” saying most of its members have “no historical or cultural connection” to the Red River Métis. 

“We will continue to make it clear to industry and governments that if they hope to advance projects in our territories, entertaining fraudulent groups who are making false claims only poses a risk to the progress of the initiative because of the inevitable strong opposition,” Chartrand added.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Métis National Council for comment but did not hear back by publication time.

Carney said during the press conference that Bill C-5 requires “meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples” when determining which projects are deemed in the national interest and approved. Carney said the federal government was not “coming with a bunch of preconceived ideas” about the projects that would be approved.

“It’s projects to be proposed by stakeholders, the provinces, the territories, the private sector, indigenous peoples, Métis themselves,” he said.

Carney said while Métis rights recognition is a “relatively recent and ongoing process,” Ottawa wanted to engage with Métis communities and “hear your perspectives from where you are.” 

The prime minister said the day’s meeting would involve discussing “how we can best work together through meaningful engagement and consultation,” before turning to ways to build “opportunities for equitable economic prosperity and participation.” Finally, Carney said they would discuss how to work together to implement Bill C-5.

Carney also highlighted that Bill C-5 includes the establishment of a new federal major projects office, which has an indigenous advisory council made up of Métis, First Nations, and Inuit representatives to “advise on implementation and ensure indigenous perspectives are integrated in every stage of this process.”

Carey’s meeting with Métis groups is the last of a series of meetings he first announced on June 20. Carney said he would meet with First Nations on July 17, followed by meetings with Inuit leadership, and then with Métis groups soon after.

Carney had promised to pass legislation to speed up approvals for major projects before Canada Day, resulting in Bill C-5 being rushed through the House of Commons. Indigenous groups had raised concerns that the legislation would weaken existing requirements related to indigenous consultation and environmental protections.