OTTAWA – The new federal Crown-Indigenous relations minister says there’s a “critical” need to build up First Nations infrastructure — but that work won’t qualify for the federal government’s push to fast-track what it calls “nation-building” projects.
The federal government is developing legislation to speed up work on certain projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process as a substitute for reviews under the Impact Assessment Act.
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty said in an interview with The Canadian Press that while closing the First Nations infrastructure gap is important, it’s not considered nation-building and would be pursued outside the proposed legislation.
“It’s about looking to make sure that it’s not just for one community or one region,” Alty said of the legislation.
“It’s a separate and really important issue that we need to focus on.”
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said last week First Nations infrastructure should be considered nation-building because addressing the shortage of all-season roads and internet connectivity in many communities would boost the economy.
In an interview Monday, she said it’s “terrible” that the minister doesn’t consider those projects nation-building, adding she hasn’t met with Alty since she was sworn in last month.
“This is the mother of all Canadian infrastructure and reconciliation projects,” Woodhouse Nepinak said. She cited a report drafted by the Conference Board of Canada for the AFN that said closing the First Nations infrastructure gap could generate $630 billion in economic growth and create more than 330,000 jobs.
“I just think that’s wrong to even just say right off the bat because there’s many children without access to proper schools … We need proper roads and community infrastructure, clean water, quality housing, modern schools,” she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.
