TREATY NO. 6 CALLS BILL C-5 AN ATTACK ONTREATY RIGHTS

June 17, 2025 (Treaty No. 6 Territory) — The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations calls on parliament to reject Bill C-5. The Government of Canada’s proposed One Canadian Economy Act is a direct threat to Treaty Rights and our democratic processes.

In the Throne Speech, King Charles III affirmed that Canada would be guided by the principle of free, prior and informed consent — yet the wheels on the King’s plane had barely left the ground when that principle was ignored. There was no prior consultation with First Nations — the Rights Holders — during the development of Bill C-5. The legislation was carefully prepared over time, shared in English and French, but not in our languages. First Nations were given less than a week to respond to a summary and the full text was never provided. Now, parliament is preparing to pass this Bill within days. This is not just a failure in process — it is a deliberate exclusion that violates both Canada’s constitutional obligations and its commitments under international law.

“This Bill is being rushed through parliament with a design to give the cabinet power to bulldoze our Rights,” says Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais. “Once again, Canada is using our Lands and resources without any consideration of our Treaty Rights.Canada claims it is responding to pressure from the United States — the so-called “bully”. But in doing so, Canada is using that as an excuse to bully our Nations. This is unacceptable to Treaty Peoples. If this Bill passes, it will not create certainty for development. It will create conflict.The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations will stand together to defend our Rights and Lands. We are not opposed to building, but we will never be bullied and pushed aside."

Bill C-5 would grant the federal cabinet sweeping powers to designate infrastructure

projects in the ‘national interest,’ fast tracking approval through a single permit. This

legislation would allow federal ministers to override environmental protections, public

health safeguards and — most critically — the constitutionally protected rights of First

Nations, all without meaningful debate or free, prior and informed consent.

When the Indian Association of Alberta went to court in England in the 1980s, it was seeking

relief from parliamentary action attempting to operate without limits. The Master of Rolls,

Lord Denning, offered a powerful reminder: ‘no Parliament or Legislature can lessen Treaty

Rights’. That Truth still stands. Treaty Rights are not subject to political convenience — they

are sacred, binding and constitutionally protected.

The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations demands parliament halts Bill C-5. The

members of parliament need to follow the law and allow for our free, prior and informed

consent as outlined in the Throne Speech.

Aiy hiy,

Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais

MEDIA CONTACT

Jill McKenzie

pipikwan pêhtâkwan

jill@pipikwanpehtakwan.com