Late Friday night, on the eve of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Bill C-5 passed in the House of Commons with 306 MPs voting in support and only 31 against. 

Although the bill saw sweeping support from both the Liberals and Conservatives, First Nations groups voiced their opposition to the legislation over fears that it would steamroll the consultation process.

With the stated goal of unifying Canada’s economy and fast tracking major projects, First Nations communities–like the Passamaquoddy Nation in Saint Andrews–oppose the bill.

In a post on the communities social media the Passamaquoddy Nation said “the legislation would permit the use and destruction of Passamaquoddy lands and waters without the free, prior, and informed consent as outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and further entrench a legal framework that erodes Indigenous sovereignty.” 

“Through Indigenous equity and resource management these projects will be built with Indigenous Nations and communities,” said Prime Minister Mark Carney on June 20, reassuring Indigenous communities after the bill passed the House.

Carney said through the UN Declaration Act federal laws will be in alignment with the act and thus respect the principle of free prior and informed consent. He also said there will be an Indigenous advisory council with the goal to “honour Section 35 rights” in the implementation of national projects. 

But some are still waiting to see how this bill will change the face of ‘nation-building projects.’

Speaking in the Passamaquoddy Nation’s social media post on June 19 Chief Hugh Akagi called on Carney to uphold Treaty agreements and meet with the Passamaquoddy Nation as equal sovereign partners. 

“While Susan’s here, I’m also conscious that whatever happens to my people, really it’s going to happen to your people–our people,” said Akagi in conversation with N.B. Premier Susan Holt at an Indigenous Peoples Day in Fredericton. 

She is still processing the passing of Bill C-5 and how it will impact the province, especially when it comes to consultation with First Nations.

“I think in the conversations that I’ve had with the Prime Minister, certainly the commitment to consultation and the relationship, and not to compromise on environmental standards and otherwise is there and stated.”

“But change happens at the speed of trust, and we’ve got to work that way,” said Holt.

On social media, Akagi shared his concerns. 

“We are struggling… we may be successful in using your rules and regulations when it comes to living in your world but living as part of your society, not mine,” said Akagi in the social media video.

Holt said, though, the province has been pretty focused on the priorities that have been “articulated” to them by First Nations communities in New Brunswick. 

“We’ve been working hard on tax agreements and been working hard on land claims and really focused on what the First Nations leadership in our province has asked us to advance with them.” 

Akagi said he is hopeful to see the province sticking up for his and other First Nations through this bill. 

“I know we were promised a different relationship and there are good indicators that they’re serious about that,” said Akagi. “But we need to have more conversation, maybe outside of their rooms.” 

He would like to see the provincial government meet with his community where they are at to understand their process. But he acknowledged the many politicians that he has dealt with in the past but were not able to move forward due to pressures from their own organizations.

However, this legislation won’t change the relationship between the Passamaquoddy Nation and the federal government. 

“It’s pretty hard to change something that hasn’t really worked that well yet,” said Akagi. 

He said this period is not unlike how the relationship between his Nation and the federal government changes between parties. With a new party comes a completely new relationship along with new government contacts between the individuals in charge. 

Akagi, now 79, has been dealing with the federal government as a First Nations leader for a longtime now.

“It’s our language which [Grand Chief Ron Tremblay] spoke so eloquently about, it’s our connection to the land and the rivers,” he said on what the collateral damage will be of Bill C-5 on First Nations.

“So if they’re fast tracking and it’s going to become better for that world, then all I can say is I’m very suspicious of what they are going to leave out” 

He believes this legislation is another excuse to leave First Nations out of the process. 

“I’m strongly disappointed that there was no proper consultation with the legislators,” said Wolastoqey Grand Chief Ron Tremblay also at the event in Fredericton.

Tremblay has previously been vocal in his advocacy for more Indigenous consultation for ‘nation-building projects’ in the province like the Sisson Mine Project. 

He said when the government gets away from environmental assessments prior to development–whether it be mining or pipelines–it ignores the ecosystems that First Nations have been gathering in for time immemorial. 

“It’s another wake up call for our people to idle no more,” said Tremblay. “Our people aren’t going to stand around and let these developers come into our homeland and start to destroy our ecosystem.” 

“I hope our people start to get together and start to challenge all these initiatives that the government has tried to push forward without proper consultation.”