The Government of Canada wants to change how big projects get approved. These are projects like mines, roads, pipelines, and power lines. The plan is called Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. It would make reviews of these projects much faster.
On October 29, 2026, the Naskapi Nation sent a letter to the Senate Special Committee studying the bill. The letter explains our concerns.
Why it matters to us
Big projects can change our land, our water, and our way of life for a long time.
We have seen this ourselves.
Mining roads near Schefferville were built too fast and without enough planning.
They polluted lakes and rivers and blocked us from parts of our land.
Our rights are protected by our treaties, the Northeastern Quebec Agreement and the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Any new law must respect those treaties.
We also have rights in parts of Labrador, where these new rules could apply in full.
What we are worried about
- Less time for the final review. Before a project can be approved, the company must submit a full study to the government detailing how the project will affect the land and people.
Once the government confirms the study is complete, the bill would give the government only one year to make its decision. That final year is when we read the study, ask questions, talk with our community, and make sure we are heard.
One year may not be enough. - Fewer chances to speak. Putting consultation into one process could save time.
But it must not mean fewer chances for us to ask questions and give our views. - Less independent reviews. Some energy and nuclear projects would be reviewed by the same agencies that oversee them. This could make reviews less open and less independent.
- Special zones. The bill would allow the government to designate entire areas as “regions of national interest” to speed up projects there. We are asking that before any area gets this label, the government first study the whole region, including how all the projects together would affect the land, water, and wildlife over time.
Then every project in that area must still get its own full review, with the Nations affected.
We also told the committee that we were not given enough time. We only learned we could send comments shortly before the deadline.
What we are asking for
We are not against development.
We ask that projects be planned carefully, that the environment be protected, and that decisions be made in consultation with the Nations whose land is affected.
Read the letter
The full letter and our comments are available here:
Read the Naskapi Nation’s comments on Bill C-39 (PDF)
The letter was signed by Deputy Chief Nathan Uniam, who leads the Nation’s environmental work.
Photo by Benjamin Jancewicz.