
Ottawa requiring questions in advance of major projects consults with chiefs
OTTAWA — Ottawa is telling First Nations chiefs to submit their questions in advance of next week’s meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss his government’s controversial major projects bill.
Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act, allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects like mines, ports and pipelines by sidestepping existing laws.
Carney promised to meet with First Nations after chiefs said their rights were not respected by the rush to push the bill through Parliament.
An invitation to the July 17 meeting shared with The Canadian Press shows the government is asking participants to submit their questions in advance, and that they have the option to vote on questions posed by their peers.