British Columbia
Assembly of First Nations

Implications from the Building Canada Act on the Environmental Impact Assessments Process and First Nations Rights

Implications from the Building Canada Act on the Environmental Impact Assessments Process and First Nations Rights

Virtual Event

February 17, 2026 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pmOnline using Zoom

View Agenda PDF here

The British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) is convening a 4-hour virtual Dialogue Session with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) and the Major Projects Office (MPO) to support informed discussion between First Nations in BC and the federal government on recent and emerging changes to the federal impact assessment process.

This session is being held in the context of the Building Canada Act, which received Royal Assent on June 6, 2025. The Act introduces a Two-Year Timeline for projects designated as being in the “National Interest” and advances the federal goal of “one project, one review.” These changes have the potential to significantly affect First Nations inherent and constitutionally protected title, rights, and Treaty rights, as well as environmental protection and oversight mechanisms.

Through this dialogue session, BCAFN aims to facilitate a transparent and technical discussion focused on:

  • The Building Canada Act,
  • The federal government’s strategy for implementing the Two-Year Timeline for major project reviews within the Impact Assessment Process,
  • The proposed approach to Co-operation Agreements between Canada and provinces on environmental and impact assessment, including the agreement with British Columbia signed in 2019,
  • The implications of these changes for First Nations rights, priorities, and decision-making
  • First Nations’ expectations and government obligations regarding respect for the protection of Title, Rights and Treaty Rights during project assessment,
  • The Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s experience with environmental assessments and the expectations they have outlined for project assessments including full partnerships with First Nations; Free, Prior, and Informed Consent; and respect for First Nations Title, Rights, governance, and decision-making processes.

The session will also respond directly to BCAFN Resolution 36/2025, which directs advocacy for strong environmental and enforcement mechanisms to protect ecosystems, watersheds, climatic systems, and First Nations ways of life.

Find the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) website here.

Find the Major Projects Office (MPO) website here.

QUESTIONS?
Email Patricia Rojas, patricia.rojas@bcafn.ca or Aaron Wood-Lyons aaron.wood-lyons@bcafn.ca