First Nations infrastructure critical but not nation-building: minister

OTTAWA — The new federal Crown-Indigenous relations minister says building up First Nations infrastructure is “critical” but doesn’t qualify as nation-building as her government works to fast-track new projects.

The federal government is developing legislation to fast-track what it calls “nation-building” projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process as a substitute for reviews under the Impact Assessment Act.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty says that while closing the First Nations infrastructure gap is important, it’s not considered nation-building and would be pursued outside the proposed legislation.

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.

She says 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.

Woodhouse Nepinak pointed to a report 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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press