The federal Building Canada Act follows alarming Trump-like trends.

VANCOUVER / UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh AND səlilwətaɬ TERRITORIES — Wilderness Committee is sounding the alarm over the expected fast-tracked passage of Bill C-5 that marks a dangerous new chapter in the history of Canada. The Bill signals growing alignment between provincial and federal governments to erode environmental protections and undermine Indigenous Rights across the country. The organization fears this legislation marks the rise of regressive, Trump-like policies in Canada — a troubling trend that threatens ecosystems, communities and democratic accountability.

The Building Canada Act seeks to fast-track projects of “national interest”, including pipelines, mines and other destructive mega-projects, by giving the Prime Minister and his cabinet the ability to freely hand out pre-approvals at their discretion, bypassing essential processes like public and Indigenous consultation and science-based environmental assessments. 

“It’s terrifying to imagine a new normal where environmental protections and Indigenous Rights are seen as obstacles to be bulldozed for extractivism and corporate profit,” said Conservation and Policy Campaigner Lucero Gonzalez. “If the federal government thinks it can pass Bill C-5 without setting off a wave of resistance, they are in for a surprise. We’re ready to remind them that ecosystems, species at risk, and Indigenous and human rights are not for sale.”

Bill C-5 is expected to pass in the House of Commons this week following a calculated effort by the federal government to force it through, despite public outcry and strong opposition from Indigenous Nations.

The rushed passage of controversial legislation aimed at circumventing key review processes mirrors alarming provincial legislation — Ontario’s Bill 5 and B.C.’s Bills 14 and 15, which Wilderness Committee actively opposed. ​​​​These bills are all examples of governments overriding serious concerns from Indigenous Nations, municipal governments, scientific and legal experts, civil society organizations and the public to push forward dangerous and undemocratic laws.

“With the passage of Ontario’s Bill 5, the Ford government drastically cut protections for endangered species, and gave itself unprecedented power to designate ‘special economic zones’ and grant ‘trusted proponents’ immunity from provincial and municipal laws, including labour laws, environmental assessments and consultation with Indigenous communities,” said Ontario Campaigner Katie Krelove.

“With this abandonment of constitutional and democratic rights, and environmental oversight, it’s now more important than ever that the federal government intervenes to uphold these long-held national values. Instead, they’re proposing to do the exact same thing with Bill C-5 — sell out the public to cater to corporate interests,” Krelove added.

Wilderness Committee warns this national trend of disregarding democracy and silencing public and Indigenous voices will only lead to further costly legal challenges, public outrage and deeper division. It will do nothing to speed up Canada’s economy, protect ecosystems or move us forward on the path to reconciliation and upholding Indigenous Rights. ​​​

Indigenous Nations have been clear: Bill C-5 threatens to violate Section 35 of the Constitution by allowing the federal government to sidestep its legal duty to consult with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Further, the rushed process of Bill C-5 comes as wildfires — fueled by climate change — rage across thousands of hectares of forests and force evacuations in communities across the prairies.

“We’re watching ecosystems and critical habitat for endangered species burn from climate-change-fueled fires in Manitoba right now while the federal government rushes to save resource extraction projects instead of intact nature — our life support system,” said Winnipeg-based Wilderness and Water Campaigner Eric Reder. “Prime Minister Mark Carney has to understand that new fossil fuel projects are a catastrophe and prioritizing resource extraction over environmental care will be disastrous. The writing is in the ashes right now.”

Wilderness Committee is calling on the federal government to immediately halt Bill C-5 and reverse this dangerous shift toward unchecked industrial expansion. The organization remains committed to join with Indigenous Nations and communities across the country to oppose any legislation that jeopardizes healthy ecosystems, a safe climate, and Indigenous sovereignty and rights.

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For more information please contact:
Lucero Gonzalez | Conservation and Policy Campaigner
604-700-3280, lucero@wildernesscommittee.org

Katie Krelove | Ontario Campaigner
647-208-4026, katie@wildernesscommittee.org

Eric Reder | Wilderness and Water Campaigner
204-997-8584, eric@wildernesscommittee.org