The passage of Bill C-5’s Building Canada Act is a disturbing step backwards for corporate accountability and Indigenous rights. This bill further entrenches the power of Canadian multinational corporations while trampling on the rights of Indigenous peoples, undermining the fundamental principles of rule of law and democracy, and impeding the urgent transition towards an economic model that would respect the environment and fight climate change.
The Bill grants the government sweeping powers to bypass existing laws and regulations in order to fast-track projects in the “national interest”, putting at risk hard-fought environmental and labour rights protections. This sets a very dangerous precedent for corporate accountability everywhere, weakening oversight at a time when Canadian corporations continue to be linked to grave human rights abuses in Canada and abroad, including repeated violations of the rights of Indigenous peoples. Bill C-5 further opens the door to unfettered corporate influence – we can be sure that powerful multinationals are already hard at work lobbying the government to take full advantage.
This bill was rushed through both Houses of Parliament on a very short timeline, violating the democratic process as well as Canada’s obligations to Indigenous rights-holders. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN), in a template letter to MPs, noted that Canada’s approach to introducing this legislation has been “inconsistent with the federal government’s commitments to a true nation-to-nation relationship, reconciliation, and its obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act”.
The governing Liberal Party’s election platform called for Canada to champion human rights and the rule of law. Bill C-5 is an affront to these commitments. Canadian civil society will be closely monitoring the implementation of the bill and will sound the alarm at signs of abuse.
The CNCA unites over 40 Canadian human rights, environmental, labour, faith, grassroots solidarity and international development organizations, collectively representing over 3 million Canadians.
For more information, see:
- Reaction from Climate Action Network Canada: Environmental and civil society groups react: Bill C-5 becomes law, setting a dangerous precedent
- MiningWatch Canada: The Building Canada Act Is a Shocking Power Grab – And Powerful Political Theatre. What Happens Next?
- Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE): Carney’s “One Canadian Economy” Act is a threat to workers and public services
