AFN chief warns Carney against abusing majority powers to pass Bill C-39

The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has warned Prime Minister Mark Carney against “abusing” his majority government powers to pass the new major projects bill.

Nepinak says Bill C-39, also known as the Building Canada Strong Act, has been described as the most consequential legislation in decades.

She says if that is the case, the Assembly of First Nations expects the legislation to be matched by an equally consequential level of parliamentary consideration and public review.

The Building Canada Strong Act, introduced in the House of Commons by the Liberals on the first sitting day of the fall sitting, shifts the responsibility for reviewing many big projects, such as pipelines and power transmission lines, from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to the Canada Energy Regulator. It also proposes changes to the Canada Labour Code.

The Canada Energy Regulator would be responsible for handling reviews of international and interprovincial pipelines, transmission lines and offshore renewable energy projects. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission would handle reviews for nuclear and uranium projects.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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