Day 1 of Assembly of First Nations gathering to include debate on federal building legislation

Two months after passing in Parliament, chiefs from across the country will spend part of the first day of the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Winnipeg debating Canada’s Building Canada Act. The three day gathering opens on Wednesday with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew giving the welcoming remarks. The federal government’s national project legislation promises to push through infrastructure projects that are in the “national interest,” according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. First Nations leaders have criticized the law over concerns that their communities won’t be consulted. According to the government, the law is to help Canada’s economy in the wake of economic tariffs put in place by U.S. President Donald Trump. “The way the act was introduced has caused concern for many chiefs,” said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak at a news conference in Winnipeg on Tuesday. “This assembly is an opportunity for chiefs to deliberate and provide direction to each other and of course, the Assembly of First Nations,” APTN News will be livestreaming the gathering starting Wednesday morning. Continue Reading