Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations Responds to Canada's Proposed Fast-Tracking of Major Projects

July 22, 2026 (Treaty No. 6 Territory) — The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations is raising serious concerns about Canada's proposed reforms to speed the review and approval of major projects across Canada. The reforms, set out in Canada's May 8, 2026 discussion paper, Getting Major Projects Built in Canada, would reshape how major projects are assessed, consulted on, and approved in Treaty No. 6 territory and across the country.

Treaty No. 6 Nations are not opposed to development. Our Nations want to be part of Canada's economic future, and we intend for our people to benefit from the projects Canada is seeking to advance. This development cannot come at the cost of Treaty Rights, our laws, our lands and waters, or our responsibilities to future generations.

“Treaty No. 6 Nations are not stakeholders in a project schedule. We are rights holders, Treaty partners, and governments”, said Grand Chief Joey Pete. “Canada cannot build a stronger economy by weakening the Treaty relationship. We must be at the table as governments, from the beginning, not consulted after the direction has already been set.”

The proposed reforms would shorten federal review and decision-making to one year, expand harmonization with provincial systems such as Alberta's Bill 30, consolidate federal approvals, create Federal Economic Zones that could pre-approve development, and permit early construction before impact decisions are complete. Read together, these changes risk building a system where speed takes precedence over Treaty obligations, environmental stewardship, and free, prior and informed consent.

Canada’s assurance that the duty to consult will not change is not enough. A one-year project clock can still pressure officials to rush technical reviews, compress engagement, and treat accommodation as a box to be checked. Consultation is meaningless if Treaty Nations are asked to respond after the path has already been chosen.

History has already taught us this lesson

When governments place speed and investor certainty ahead of rights and consent, the result is not faster development. When environmental laws were weakened to fast-track pipeline projects a decade ago, it led to conflict, litigation, environmental harm, and years of delay. Canada cannot move forward by repeating the mistakes of the past. Any process that weakens protection for water, fish, medicines, wildlife, harvesting areas, sacred sites, and cultural landscapes is not reconciliation.

What the Confederacy is calling for

The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations calls on Canada to:

• Meet directly with Treaty No. 6 Chiefs and leadership before any legislation is tabled.

• Provide immediate, adequate capacity funding so our Nations can participate meaningfully.

• Recognize First Nations-led environmental and cultural assessment with equal authority in decision-making.

• Build free, prior and informed consent into decisions as a requirement, not a “goal”.

• No weakening of the Species at Risk Act

• Until it is co-developed with First Nations, halt any legislative or regulatory reform that weakens federal oversight, undermines Treaty rights, or reduces meaningful opportunities for consultation and consent.

“Our Nations must be full decision-makers from the start, not invited into a process after Canada and industry have already decided the path forward,” said Grand Chief Pete. “There can be nothing for us, without us.

Grand Chief Joey Pete

Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations