Overview of the Promise

During the 2025 federal election campaign, Mark Carney, as Liberal leader, promised to confront systemic barriers and create opportunities for Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, and racialized communities. The pledge emphasized ensuring equal treatment and access in all aspects of Canadian society, addressing longstanding inequalities in areas such as economic participation, social services, and rights protection.

Actions Taken on Indigenous Peoples

Since taking office in April 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney has focused significant attention on Indigenous issues, particularly in the context of his government's economic agenda. The Building Canada Act, introduced as Bill C-5, aims to fast-track major infrastructure projects to strengthen the economy amid global trade disruptions. Carney has engaged with Indigenous leaders through meetings, such as the Métis Major Projects Summit in August 2025, where he emphasized that respecting Indigenous rights is central to the legislation. Additionally, on National Indigenous Peoples Day in June 2025, he reaffirmed commitments to reconciliation and economic partnership. He also met with First Nations rights holders in July 2025 to discuss the act, pledging collaboration on nation-building projects.

Carney has addressed specific systemic issues, such as committing to reform the discriminatory First Nations child welfare system during a forum with the Assembly of First Nations in April 2025. However, these efforts have faced criticism; Indigenous groups have expressed concerns over insufficient consultation, leading to walkouts from meetings and demands for greater inclusion in project decisions. Despite passing the House of Commons in June 2025 with promises of summer consultations, the bill has been seen by some as prioritizing speed over rights, potentially perpetuating barriers rather than dismantling them.

Actions Taken on Black Canadians and Racialized Communities

Progress on addressing systemic barriers for Black Canadians and racialized communities appears limited in the early months of Carney's tenure. Campaign promises highlighted equal treatment, but post-election actions have not yet translated into specific legislation or programs targeting these groups. There have been no major announcements or bills introduced focused on anti-racism initiatives, employment equity, or access to services for these communities. While the broader economic plan under the Building Canada Act could indirectly create opportunities, such as through job creation in infrastructure, there is little evidence of targeted measures to ensure equitable access or confront barriers like discrimination in housing, policing, or education.

Legislation Proposed or Passed

The primary legislation related to this promise is Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act, which was approved by the House of Commons in June 2025. This bill enables the federal government to expedite projects deemed in the national interest, with Carney pledging that Indigenous partnerships would be prioritized. Amendments and consultations were promised to address Indigenous concerns about overriding rights. No other significant legislation has been proposed or passed directly targeting systemic barriers for Black Canadians or racialized communities as of August 2025. The government's focus has been on economic resilience, with reconciliation efforts tied to these projects rather than standalone anti-discrimination laws.

Progress Assessment and Risks

The promise involves multiple components: confronting systemic barriers, creating opportunities, and ensuring equal treatment across society. For Indigenous Peoples, engagements and the Building Canada Act represent steps forward, but ongoing opposition indicates that full implementation is in progress. To become kept, the government must complete meaningful consultations, amend legislation to protect rights effectively, and demonstrate tangible outcomes like increased Indigenous-led projects and reforms in areas like child welfare. Failure to address criticisms, such as by proceeding with projects without consent, could lead to the promise being broken.

For Black Canadians and racialized communities, actions are minimal, suggesting this aspect is closer to not started. Achieving kept status would require introducing specific policies, such as anti-racism strategies or equity programs, within the first term. If no progress is made by mid-2026, this could result in the overall promise being deemed broken, especially amid broader societal expectations for inclusivity.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.