Canada's Indigenous Leaders Challenge Proposed Project Fast‑Track and Residential School Denialism Bill

The Assembly of First Nations adopted a resolution urging the criminalisation of residential‑school denialism. The proposal would amend the Criminal Code through private‑member Bill C‑254, introduced by NDP MP Leah Gazan, to make it an offence to promote hatred against Indigenous peoples by denying or downplaying the residential school system. Critics note that existing hate‑speech provisions already cover such conduct, with limited exceptions for public‑interest debate.

Separately, the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations has voiced strong opposition to the federal government’s plan to fast‑track major project approvals. The reforms would shorten review timelines to one year, consolidate approvals and allow construction to begin before full impact assessments are completed. Grand Chief Joey Pete warned, “Treaty No. 6 Nations are not stakeholders in a project schedule. We are rights holders, Treaty partners, and governments,” emphasizing that meaningful consultation and Treaty rights must not be sacrificed for economic speed. Both groups argue the measures risk weakening Indigenous protections and the duty to consult.