Major projects CEO faces B.C. First Nations frustrated over lack of consultation

OTTAWA - Major Projects CEO Dawn Farrell told B.C. First Nations leaders that the frustrations over inadequate consultation made her feel as though Canada is "never going to work," but her office remains committed to addressing the concerns. Farrell addressed the B.C. Assembly of First Nations during its annual general meeting. Despite media being temporarily barred from the room, the meeting was streamed publicly on the B.C. Assembly of First Nations' YouTube channel.

First Nations in B.C. are urging Ottawa to establish national standards for Indigenous consultations on major projects. The chiefs expressed frustration about being given only 11 working days to review and comment on whether the proposed Pacific Link pipeline should be deemed a project of national interest. While Farrell concedes that national consultation standards are a worthwhile idea, she questions how these standards could coexist with the government's expedited project approval timelines.