Canada: Indigenous Peoples

On April 15, 2026, the federal government tabled draft regulations on the use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses (proposed regulations).[1] These proposed regulations follow the enactment of the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act (UFPBA),[2] which received royal assent on June 20, 2023. As explained in our previous articles on Bill C-13, the UFPBA imposes new language rights obligations on federally regulated private businesses (FRPBs).

On June 16, 2026, Canada re-introduced the First Nations Clean Water Act as Bill C-37. This modified version of what was Bill C-61, first introduced in late 2023...

On May 12, 2026, the Government of Canada (Government) released the Getting Major Projects Built in Canada - Discussion Paper on Proposed Legislative, Regulatory, and Policy Reforms (Discussion Paper). The Discussion Paper outlines proposed legislative, regulatory and policy reforms to reduce the regulatory burden facing proponents of major projects, ensure federal decisions are made in a timely manner and ultimately attract investments in large-scale projects in Canada.

In Chief Electoral Officer of Alberta v Sylvestre (“Sylvestre”)[1], issued December 5, 2025, the Court found that the proposed referendum, which asked whether Alberta should become a sovereign, independent country, contravened the Charter and historic treaties between Canada and certain Alberta First Nations.

381 / 5,000 Explorez comment les droits des peuples autochtones façonnent le discours politique de l’Alberta au Québec, en examinant les réalités juridiques et constitutionnelles essentielles qui doivent être prises en compte dans les discussions sur l’indépendance et l’autodétermination régionales. Cette analyse explore l'intersection entre les mouvements d'autonomie provinciale et les droits fondamentaux des peuples autochtones dans toutes les provinces et territoires canadiens.

In our previous bulletin, we discussed two recent court decisions that reached different conclusions on whether Aboriginal title can be declared over privately owned lands. In J.D. Irving, Limited et al. v. Wolastoqey Nation (Wolastoqey Nation), the New Brunswick Court of Appeal held that it was plain and obvious that a declaration of Aboriginal title was not available over privately held fee simple lands.

On May 14, Canada released its National Electricity Strategy, Powering Canada Strong: A National Strategy for an Electrified Canadian Economy (the Strategy).

Le gouvernement canadien propose une réforme législative majeure qui va au-delà du projet de loi C-5, visant à accélérer l'approbation de tous les grands projets d'infrastructure et de ressources naturelles. Ces changements soulèvent d'importantes préoccupations quant au respect des obligations de consultation envers les peuples autochtones et à l'affaiblissement des protections environnementales.

The federal government has introduced ambitious proposals to streamline infrastructure project approvals, building on last year's Building Canada Act. These reforms aim to reduce federal decision timelines to one year and consolidate Indigenous consultations through a new Crown Consultation Hub. The proposals include creating Federal Economic Zones that would exempt certain projects from individual impact assessments and granting Cabinet new authorities to expedite major infrastructure development.