Assembly of First Nations warned that fast track infrastructure plan risks trampling Indigenous rights

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Will Prime Minister Mark Carney’s national infrastructure dreams be kiboshed by Canada’s First Nations? That’s the question hanging over Ottawa this week — and if Carney’s not careful, the answer could well be yes.

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At Monday’s First Ministers’ meeting in Saskatoon, the PM rolled out his big plan: slash approval times for “national interest” infrastructure projects from five to two years. He got buy-in from the premiers, hoping to stimulate growth, counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and pull Canada together as one economy. Despite a shortage of specifics, there finally appears to be a willingness to get things done and reconcile the interests of East and West. Quebec Premier François Legault said he’s open to a pipeline, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was positively giddy about energy corridors, and even Alberta’s Danielle Smith was cautiously optimistic.

Indigenous leaders, however, are not impressed. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse of the Assembly of First Nations warned that the plan risks trampling Indigenous rights and took umbrage at being given