Current Status
Status: In Progress
The Carney government has passed legislation and established a new office with an Indigenous advisory council to advance Indigenous involvement in major projects.
Background
The promise emerged amid longstanding calls for greater Indigenous participation in resource and infrastructure decisions, reflecting commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to ensure Indigenous communities shape developments affecting their lands and rights. Fulfilling it would require expanding financial, technical, and institutional resources to enable more communities to engage actively from planning to implementation stages, building on frameworks like the Indigenous Community Development National Strategy that emphasize nation-to-nation partnerships. This aligns with broader reconciliation efforts, including distinctions-based approaches that recognize diverse Indigenous priorities and governance structures [1][2].
Evidence
Previous governments laid groundwork through strategies and evaluations aimed at Indigenous community development and urban programming, though these focused more on general support than specific capacity for project decisions. For instance, the Indigenous Community Development National Strategy outlined principles for sustainable communities and partnerships, while evaluations of urban programming highlighted needs for better governance and outcomes in Indigenous services [1][3]. Other initiatives, such as education for reconciliation and policy advancements under the UN Declaration, emphasized Indigenous knowledge integration and rights, but these were not directly tied to doubling capacity for project involvement [2][4][5]. The 2022–23 Departmental Results Report from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada detailed unrelated economic initiatives, with no mention of Indigenous project capacity [8].
The current government, sworn in after the 2025 election under Prime Minister Mark Carney, shifted focus to major projects. On July 17, 2025, Carney convened the First Nations Major Projects Summit in Gatineau, Québec, gathering over 250 First Nations leaders to discuss the Building Canada Act and partnerships for Indigenous-led projects [7]. Parliament passed the Building Canada Act in June 2025, enabling streamlined approvals while upholding Indigenous rights [6]. In August 2025, the government launched the Major Projects Office in Calgary to accelerate project development, including coordination with Indigenous communities [6]. On September 10, 2025, Carney announced the membership of the Indigenous Advisory Council for the Major Projects Office, aimed at ensuring Indigenous input in decision-making processes [6]. No further actions have been documented since then, as of March 9, 2026.
Assessment
The Carney government's passage of the Building Canada Act and establishment of the Major Projects Office, complete with an Indigenous Advisory Council, mark substantive steps toward enhancing Indigenous roles in project decisions. These moves go beyond prior consultations by creating dedicated structures for participation, directly addressing the need for increased capacity in a landscape where Indigenous communities have historically been sidelined. While full doubling of support remains incomplete, the legislative and operational foundations provide a clear mechanism for broader involvement.
This progress stands in contrast to earlier efforts under previous administrations, which produced strategies and reports but lacked the targeted institutional changes seen here. The advisory council's formation ensures Indigenous voices influence approvals, aligning with the promise's emphasis on meaningful participation. Continued implementation will determine if these actions translate into the comprehensive capacity expansion pledged, but the concrete advancements signal a committed trajectory.
Sources
- Indigenous Community Development National Strategy
- Chapter 1: Shared priorities
- Evaluation of the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples Program
- Education for reconciliation
- Annex D: List of policy initiatives advanced by government departments during the reporting period
- Prime Minister Carney announces Indigenous Advisory Council membership for the new Major Projects Office | Prime Minister of Canada
- Prime Minister Carney engages First Nations Rights Holders on the Building Canada Act | Prime Minister of Canada
- 2022–23 Departmental Results Report