Ottawa- Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government should prioritize indigenous engagement and announce “low-risk, high-effects” projects, which is an Ottawa-based group, to validate the bill of major projects as being in the national interest within the next six months, a new paper has an Ottawa-based group.
The expert group of Canada-US relations at Carlton University issued a white paper on the future of the Canadian energy sector on Monday morning, before Carney was set to meet Canada’s premiere in Hunsville, Onts.
After President Donald Trump threatened Canada with 35 percent tariff, Carney asked to join the premiere during his annual summer premiere.
The Building Canada Act, also known as Bill C -5, is a central piece of Carney government’s response to Trump’s tariff. This law gives the government the power to track projects such as mines and pipelines considered in national interest, as the Liberal government wants to sideline Canada’s economy and reduce business with the United States.
Expert Group, co-headed by former Canadian Chamber of Commerce President Perin Beatty and Carlton University International Affairs Professor Fen Hampson, wrote that the next six months are important for the signature piece of the law, which can be seen as success.
Beatty said that Trump’s tariff has created a “notable consent” to change the way Canada trades.
“For a long time, we have been a nation of builders that cannot make anything, at the point where you get a delayed decision, where the projects are left or not proposed due to regulatory paralysis.”
“The Prime Minister has promised a big improvement in the system, but to maintain and create speed, we have to show Canadian people that reforms are working.”
The white paper says that the Carney government should nominate national interest projects “immediately”. That list should include liquefied natural gas, oil, atom, hydrogen and renewable energy infrastructure.
The authors suggested that two LNG projects in North -Western BC, LNG Canada 2 and KSI Lisims LNG have already approved several regulatory obstacles as being in national interest. The KSI Lisims LNG project is also a maritime project, putting it in federal jurisdiction.
“These projects are more manageable through federal action, and potential prizes for Canada – 50,000 jobs and $ 11 billion per year added to GDP – prominent,” said by Beatty.
To deepen indigenous engagement, the expert group says that the government should formalize a co-developed profit for land rights holders and formally form the equity process.
Carney organized his first three meetings with indigenous leaders at Gatino, QC on Thursday, held a meeting with hundreds of heads.
Some heads said that they left the meeting “feeling ignorant”, but others abandoned the initial feeling that they were not listening to the concerns raised for weeks.
Nevertheless, Beatty called the meeting a “important first step”.
Beatty said, “There is equal on governments and trade to display their good confidence for this process and to communicate these projects for indigenous communities.”
He said that winning the trust and belief of indigenous communities would not be overnight, but the Prime Minister has demonstrated commitment to do so.
Carney on Thursday co-maintained the discussion about the law with the Inute-Crown Partnership Committee, Inute Tapirit Kanatami President, Inute Tapirit Kanatami Chairman to continue the discussion about the law.
This report of Canadian Press was first published on 21 July 2025.
David Baxter, Canadian Press
