Carney appoints 11 members to Major Project Office’s Indigenous Advisory Council
First Nations, Inuit and Métis members appointed to 2-year terms
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the members of an Indigenous Advisory Council, meant to help guide the work of the new Major Projects Office, on Wednesday.
The Major Projects Office, which will be headquartered in Calgary, is aimed at getting “nation-building” projects built faster by streamlining and accelerating regulatory approval processes and helping the projects get financing.
The Indigenous Advisory Council includes 11 representatives from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across the country who will hold an initial two-year term.
“The members bring deep expertise in economic participation, impact assessments and [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People] and the council will ensure that projects move forward in true partnership with Indigenous peoples,” Carney said in a news conference Thursday.
The members appointed to the Indigenous Advisory Council are:
- Kluane Adamek, Kluane First Nation in Yukon
- Chief Darcy Bear, Whitecap Dakota First Nation in Saskatchewan
- Vanessa Doig, Makivvik, Nunavik (Northern Quebec)
- JP Gladu, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek in Ontario
- Victoria LaBillois, Listuguj Mi’gmaq Nation in Quebec
- Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, Beaver First Nation in Alberta
- Chief Terry Paul, Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia
- Lorne Pelletier, Manitoba Métis Federation
- Christy Sinclair, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Nunavut
- Crystal Smith, Haisla Nation, British Columbia
- Matt Vermette, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
Many Indigenous leaders have voiced opposition to Carney’s plan to fast track major nation-building projects through the Building Canada Act, also known as Bill C-5, with concerns that it did not provide enough protection for Indigenous peoples’ right to be consulted on projects impacting their land and communities.
The legislation, which was passed through Parliament in June, is one part of Canada’s plan to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war.
Carney hosted a series of summits with First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders over the summer. Some First Nations leaders expressed frustration over the summit held in July, stating they had more concerns coming out of the meeting.
Following the announcement of the council appointments, some Indigenous leaders expressed concern the council does not provide sufficient representation.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said in a statement Wednesday “not one First Nations leader” from the province “was even considered” for the council.
“This is not inclusion – it is exclusion,” Wilson said.
“First Nations in Manitoba must determine for themselves how they will be engaged, not through a federally appointed body designed in Ottawa.”
In the statement, Wilson added the exclusion of First Nations in Manitoba “demonstrates a continuing pattern of disregard for treaty rights and First Nations jurisdiction in this region.”
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government (formerly the Métis Nation of Alberta) also released a statement Wednesday calling on the federal government to include Alberta Métis representation in the council.
The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to a request for comment by time of publishing.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Northern leaders throw support behind feds’ major projects list, CBC News
Greenland: Greenland ‘Freedom City?’ Rich donors push Trump for a tech hub up north, Reuters
Norway: Norway, UK team up to protect subsea infrastructure against Russian hybrid attacks, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia sees stable oil exports and booming gas business by 2050, Reuters
Sweden: Swedish developer GRANGEX buys iron ore mine on Norway’s border to Russia, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: Man behind a North Slope oil renaissance says he’s found another hot prospect, Alaska Public Media
