The rollout of Canada’s new One Canadian Economy Act is now underway. A National Projects Office and an Indigenous Advisory Council are being established to guide decisions on major infrastructure and energy projects, with the aim of moving approvals faster while including Indigenous voices.
Ottawa has also expanded the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program to $10 billion and committed $40 million for consultation and community capacity. The funding is meant to support Indigenous participation in energy, trade, and transportation, though it is not yet clear how quickly communities will benefit.
Meetings this month show both progress and tension. Prime Minister Carney met with Métis Nation–Saskatchewan leaders at a project summit, where they stressed the need for Indigenous governments to have a real role in project decisions. The Assembly of First Nations urged Ottawa to do more to align its approach with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. At the same time, several First Nations have walked out of meetings and launched a constitutional challenge arguing the law does not guarantee meaningful consultation.
Faster approvals could help attract investment and strengthen the infrastructure needed for affordability and energy security, but unresolved disputes over consultation mean timelines and costs are still uncertain.