Prime Minister Carney announces Indigenous Advisory Council membership for the new Major Projects Office

EDMONTON, AB, Sept. 10, 2025 /CNW/ - In a rapidly shifting global landscape, we need to act decisively to build a stronger, more competitive, and prosperous economy. To those ends, the government tabled the Building Canada Act, which Parliament passed this June. This legislation enables the government to streamline federal approval processes to get major projects built faster. These projects will better connect our economy, diversify our industries, access new markets, and create high-paying careers, while protecting Canada's rigorous environmental standards and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In August, Prime Minister Carney launched the new Major Projects Office (MPO) to spearhead this mission. Headquartered in Calgary, its mandate is clear: to serve as a single point of contact that gets major, transformative projects built, faster. It will do so in two principal ways: by streamlining and accelerating regulatory approvals, and by structuring and coordinating financing where needed. Canada's new government will soon announce the first tranche of nation-building projects to be advanced to the MPO for consideration.

This Major Projects Office will benefit from the leadership and guidance of the Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) – eleven representatives from First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Modern Treaty and Self-Governing communities. These leaders bring deep expertise and experience, and they will help guide the MPO's work to ensure that major projects create opportunities for equity ownership and responsible resource management through meaningful participation with Indigenous Peoples.

Today, the Prime Minister announced the official appointments of its members:

• Kluane Adamek, Kluane First Nation, Yukon
• Chief Darcy Bear, Whitecap Dakota First Nation, Saskatchewan
• Vanessa Doig, Makivvik, Nunavik, Northern Québec
• JP Gladu, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Ontario
• Victoria LaBillois, Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation, Québec
• Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, Beaver First Nation (Treaty 8), Alberta
• Chief Terry Paul, Membertou First Nation, Nova Scotia
• Lorne Pelletier, Manitoba Métis Federation, Manitoba
• Christy Sinclair, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Nunavut
• Crystal Smith, Haisla Nation, British Columbia
• Matt Vermette, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan

Meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples is embedded in the Building Canada Act, both in the process of determining which projects are in our collective interest and in the development of the conditions for those projects going forward. This law honours Section 35 of our Constitution and the duty to consult, and upholds the government's commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including free, prior, and informed consent.

Over the summer, Canada's new government held three summits to engage First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leadership on this new law – listening to their priorities and exploring opportunities for equity ownership and broader economic benefits from this generational transformation in the Canadian economy.

Canada's new government is moving at a pace not seen in generations to get big things built in true partnership with Indigenous Peoples. These major projects will create lasting economic strength for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, connecting more communities to build one, strong Canadian economy.

Quotes

"Canada's new government is building One Canadian Economy, turbo-charged by major nation-building projects that connect our regions, diversify our products and markets, and create hundreds of thousands of high-paying careers. Central to this mission is partnership with Indigenous Peoples. The expertise and advice of the Indigenous Advisory Council will help ensure these projects empower First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and create greater opportunity, security, and prosperity for their communities."
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

"Canada is stronger when we work together. The Indigenous Advisory Council will help us ensure our processes and projects integrate Indigenous perspectives and priorities at each stage, as we build the strongest economy in the G7."
— The Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy

"The new members of the Indigenous Advisory Council will make sure the voices of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Modern Treaty and Self-Government partners are represented in decisions that impact them. Their experience and advice will be critical to advancing major projects in the spirit of true partnership."
— The Hon. Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

"The creation of the Indigenous Advisory Council marks a pivotal step toward embedding Indigenous leadership, knowledge, and priorities at the heart of Canada's nation-building efforts. This Council will support incorporating the practices of reconciliation, partnership, and Indigenous economic participation in the work of the Major Projects Office."
— The Hon. Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

"Today's announcement is about building a brighter future and a stronger Canada with Indigenous Peoples at the decision-making table. The Indigenous Advisory Council will be a cornerstone in guiding nation-building initiatives, so they truly reflect the rights, voices, and aspirations of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, alongside Modern Treaty and Self-Government partners. The lived experience, knowledge, expertise, and leadership of Council members will be essential to our shared success."
— The Hon. Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services

"Today marks a significant step forward in our mission to build Canada strong, working with Indigenous Peoples and in recognition of their leadership in energy and natural resource projects nationwide. The creation of the Indigenous Advisory Council embodies our commitment to honouring Indigenous knowledge and stewardship in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for all Canadians. I look forward to working with the Council. Together, we will build a future that respects the land and the generations to come."
— The Hon. Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

"I welcome the membership of the Indigenous Advisory Council to the Major Projects Office. Their expertise and advice will be critical to ensuring that projects of national interest are built fast, built right, and built in a way that creates real opportunity and prosperity for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis."
— Dawn Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of the Major Projects Office

Quick facts

• Members of the Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) are appointed for an initial two-year term. They will meet a minimum of four times a year in-person, with other virtual meetings held as required. The IAC will be supported secretarially by the Major Projects Office (MPO).
• The MPO was enabled through the Building Canada Act, which came into force in June 2025. It was launched on August 29, 2025, to get nation-building projects built. It is a single window for proponents, Indigenous communities, and governments to help identify and fast-track nation-building projects that will grow Canada's economy.
• To increase Indigenous Peoples' capacity to engage on major projects, the Government of Canada has committed $40 million over two years to support consultation and preparation for community readiness activities as it relates to major projects.
• The Government of Canada also doubled the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program to $10 billion, enabling more Indigenous communities to acquire equity ownership of major projects without cost.

Associated links

• Prime Minister Carney launches new Major Projects Office to fast-track nation-building projects
• Major Projects Office
• Building Canada Act

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

PMO Media Relations: [email protected]