Indigenous Voices and Legislative Challenges

Many First Nations leaders across Canada are furious about two laws just passed by both the federal government and Ontario's provincial government.

The Protecting Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act and the federal Building Canada Act, better known as Bill 5 and Bill C5, are meant to fast-track large development projects and have faced similar criticisms.

Many Indigenous people say the bills stomp on treaty rights and ignore the need to get their consent for development in their territories –– and this could shape up to mean some big battles across the country.

Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, a political organization that represents 49 Ontario First Nations, joins the show to unpack the controversy.

For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts