Federal Ministers Defend Fast-Track Project Bill Amid Indigenous and Labour Backlash
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Ottawa faces criticism from First Nations and union leaders as Bill C-39 seeks to accelerate major project approvals and modify labour laws.
Four federal ministers appeared before a House of Commons committee on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, to defend Bill C-39, a piece of legislation designed to accelerate the approval process for major projects, as first reported by The Canadian Press via CityNews Toronto.
The 243-page bill aims to reduce review times and establish "national interest" zones to pre-approve specific project types. Additionally, the legislation proposes expanding a "one-project, one-review, within one-year" framework to various infrastructure plans nationwide. According to The Canadian Press, the Liberal government views this legislation as a central component of its strategy to reduce economic reliance on the United States and position Canada as a reliable partner for international markets.
However, the bill has drawn significant opposition from Indigenous groups and labour organizations. A collective including the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the Chiefs of Ontario, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, and the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador stated that their "free, prior, and informed consent" cannot be compressed into predetermined federal timelines. These groups argue the bill would strip away their influence over decisions regarding their territories and weaken environmental oversight, as reported by The Canadian Press.
On the labour front, union members and leaders have protested the bill's proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code. Specifically, the legislation modifies Section 107 to explicitly allow a minister to order binding arbitration or the resumption of operations for businesses under federal jurisdiction. While Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asserted on Monday that the bill strengthens the right to strike by removing the use of Section 107 prior to a disruption, labour experts cited by The Canadian Press suggest the new language likely grants the minister additional powers that may face constitutional challenges under the Charter.
In response to these concerns, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated Monday that the bill does not diminish the requirement to consult Indigenous rights holders, noting that efficiency does not equate to a lack of rigor. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon added that the goal is to lower administrative burdens without compromising environmental or safety standards.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has indicated his party will support the committee study to propose amendments. Poilievre characterized the bill as "weak, watered-down, long-delayed" and has called for project decision timelines to be shortened to between six months and one year. He further proposed the elimination of the industrial carbon price and the creation of pre-permitting "shovel-ready zones," according to The Canadian Press.
A motion has been passed by Members of Parliament to begin the clause-by-clause review of Bill C-39 in mid-November.