News & Media

All-Indigenous steering body for Senate committee brings ‘invaluable’ experience to table, say members | Hill Times – July 8th, 2026 – The Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples is now chaired by Quebec Senator Michèle Audette, who has picked up the gavel for the first time since joining the Red Chamber. ... Read More

Senator, MP, advocate call on Ottawa to pass Indian Act status law before break | CTV News – June 11th, 2026 – OTTAWA — First Nations MPs and senators are calling on the federal government to pass legislation changing the rules on status under the Indian Act before they leave Ottawa for the summer break. ... Read More

The never-ending effort to expand First Nation status | Canadian Bar Association National Magazine – May 12th, 2026 – The federal government has known for decades that the second-generation cut-off is legally problematic. Despite nearly three years of consultations, the minister says more are needed before addressing it ... Read More

Senate introduced ‘very complex and intricate dialogue’ in ending second-generation cutoff: Gull-Masty | iPolitics – February 26th, 2026 – Speaking to reporters on Thursday, she said it was important for the government to move ahead with consultations with First Nations on the issue but refused to disclose if the Liberals would remove the Senate amendments now that Bill S-2 has been sent to the House of Commons. ... Read More

Union of BC Indian Chiefs says it won’t participate in government consultations on second-generation cutoff | iPolitics – February 25th, 2026 – The Union of BC Indian Chiefs called the justification for further consultation “extremely unclear” and expressed concerns about the “further politics of delay, which only serves to enrich Canada financially.” ... Read More

Liberals quiet on whether government will support Senate changes to First Nations bill that would end second-generation cut-off | iPolitics – February 13th, 2026 – The rule denies Indian status to people who had a non-First Nation parent and grandparent, and has been criticized as a colonial policy that allows Ottawa to determine who qualifies as Indigenous and designed to limit the government’s obligations to status peoples. ... Read More

Senate unanimously passes bill to eliminate Indian Act's 2nd-generation cut-off | CBC News – December 5th, 2025 – The Senate voted unanimously Thursday to advance Bill S-2 with an amendment calling for the removal of the second-generation cut-off from the Indian Act. ... Read More

Bill S-2 amendments to eliminate second-generation cutoff pass major hurdle | APTN News – December 2nd, 2025 – The Senate has passed a significant set of amendments to Bill S-2 at the report stage, moving Canada one step closer to ending the controversial second-generation cutoff under the Indian Act. ... Read More

Anishinabek Nation stands with the Senate Committee vote to implement the One-Parent Rule | Anishinabek News – November 20th, 2025 – TORONTO (November 20, 2025) – The Anishinabek Nation expresses sincere appreciation to the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples within the Senate of Canada for passing amendments to Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), that would end the second-generation cut-off and implement the One-Parent Rule. The Anishinabek Nation also commends the Standing Senate Committee for their courage, bravery, and commitment to ending the continued discriminatory and assimilative practice of Canada in determining our citizens. ... Read More

Senators amend legislation to make it easier to pass on First Nations status | CFJC Today Kamloops – November 19th, 2025 – OTTAWA — Senators have passed sweeping amendments to a bill that would simplify the transfer of First Nations status between generations, rejecting the federal government’s advice to limit its scope. ... Read More

Mi’kmaq senator pushing for end to ‘second-generation cut-off’ gains traction, but feds signal opposition | NB Media Co-op – November 19th, 2025 – Changes 'vital to the survival of First Nations': Sen. Paul Prosper ... Read More

Le Sénat adopte des amendements au projet de loi sur le statut des Premières Nations | Radio-Canada – November 19th, 2025 – Les sénateurs ont adopté d'importantes modifications à un projet de loi visant à simplifier la transmission du statut de membre des Premières Nations entre les générations, rejetant ainsi la recommandation du gouvernement fédéral de limiter sa portée. ... Read More

Senate passes First Nations status bill changes, MPs to vote | CTV News – November 19th, 2025 – OTTAWA — Senators have passed sweeping amendments to a bill that would simplify the transfer of First Nations status between generations, rejecting the federal government’s advice to limit its scope. ... Read More

Senators vote to end the second-generation cutoff for ‘status Indians’ | APTN News – November 18th, 2025 – Amendments to government bill welcomed, but passage a long way off ... Read More

Mi’kmaw Grand Council, Sitansisk chief back removal of 2nd-generation cut-off from Indian Act | CBC News – November 13th, 2025 – Additional changes were recommended by some during Senate hearings on bill ... Read More

Senator Prosper’s major amendments to end second-generation cutoff – October 30th, 2025 – Bill S-2 was meant to restore ‘Indian Status’ to a few thousand people, but senators are pushing to end blood quantum rules and allow status to pass through generations. ... Read More

Senator proposes major amendments to end second-generation cutoff | APTN News – October 30th, 2025 – Bill S-2 was meant to restore ‘Indian Status’ to a few thousand people, but senators are pushing to end blood quantum rules and allow status to pass through generations. ... Read More

Carney has an ‘opportunity’ to advance reconciliation in upcoming budget, says Liberal MP – September 30th, 2025 – Liberal MP Jaime Battiste has a message for Canadians on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — take some time to listen to the stories of residential school survivors and reflect on what you can do to advance the calls to action outlined in the truth and reconciliation commission (TRC). ... Read More

À Winnipeg, les Premières Nations réclament leur place dans les grands projets d’Ottawa – September 3rd, 2025 – L’assemblée générale annuelle (AGA) de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations (APN) s’est ouverte ce mercredi à Winnipeg. Du 3 au 5 septembre 2025, plus de 630 Premières Nations y sont représentées par des centaines de chefs et de délégués venus de partout au pays. Au cœur des discussions : la volonté de faire entendre leur voix sur plusieurs enjeux majeurs, dont la Loi sur l’unité de l’économie canadienne, adoptée plus tôt cet été par Ottawa. ... Read More

N.S. Mi’kmaq chiefs call on Ottawa to address income assistance disparity on reserves – July 29th, 2025 – Mi’kmaq leaders from Nova Scotia are calling on Ottawa to urgently address the income assistance disparity they say is keeping some families on reserve in deep poverty. ... Read More

N.S. Mi'kmaq chiefs call on Ottawa to address income assistance disparity on reserves – July 29th, 2025 – Mi’kmaq leaders from Nova Scotia are calling on Ottawa to urgently address an income assistance disparity they say is keeping some families on reserve in deep poverty. ... Read More

Mi'kmaw chiefs call on Ottawa to address income assistance disparity on reserves – July 29th, 2025 – Mi'kmaw leaders from Nova Scotia are calling on Ottawa to urgently address an income assistance disparity they say is keeping some families on reserve in deep poverty. ... Read More

Treaty 6 and 8 Chiefs Comment After Major Projects Summit – July 17th, 2025 – Chiefs of the Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 Nations in Alberta hold a news conference in Ottawa following the First Nations Major Projects Summit. The two-day summit brought together Indigenous leaders from across the country to discuss Bill C-5, the Liberal government’s major projects legislation. ... Read More

Building Canada Act a 'troubling threat' to Indigenous rights, says Amnesty International Canada – July 8th, 2025 – A global human rights organization has added to calls condemning federal legislation that many say will impact Indigenous rights in Canada. ... Read More

Senators weigh C-5 as Prosper pushes Indigenous amendment before summer deadline – June 26th, 2025 – Canada’s Senate is reviewing Bill C-5, which would give cabinet powers to fast-track economic projects deemed in the national interest — a move that, according to BNN Bloomberg, aims to accelerate infrastructure and energy development across the country under a centralised approval framework. ... Read More

Senators quash amendment to add free, prior and informed consent to Bill C-5 – June 26th, 2025 – Bill C-5  passed third reading in the Senate today. It is expected to receive royal assent— in other words, become law—on or before Prime Minister Mark Carney’s July 2 deadline. ... Read More

Bill C-5 a 'betrayal' of reconciliation, says Sen. Prosper in speech – June 26th, 2025 – Sen. Paul Prosper rose in the Senate chamber Thursday to speak against the way Bill C-5 is moving through Parliament. Prosper says the Liberal major projects bill is being rushed and the government has failed to properly consult Indigenous stakeholders. ... Read More

Carney’s ’nation-building’ projects bill passes Senate — but not without Indigenous pushback – June 26th, 2025 – The Senate passed Prime Minister Mark Carney's landmark 'nation-building' projects bill unamended Thursday, giving the federal government extraordinary new powers to fast-track initiatives that have the potential to boost the economy as Canada grapples with the U.S. trade war. ... Read More

Carney's 'nation-building' projects bill faces uncertain future in unpredictable Senate – June 25th, 2025 – Prime Minister Mark Carney's point-person in the Senate is pressing for the swift passage of the government's landmark "nation-building" projects bill, but he isn't certain he can get it through unamended before the upper house is scheduled to break for the summer. ... Read More

National chief asks senators to slow down major projects bill, as senator collapses – June 25th, 2025 – The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling on senators to slow down Ottawa’s sprint to pass Prime Minister Mark Carney’s controversial major projects bill this week. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said Wednesday she hopes the Senate “does the right thing this week” and allows more time to study the legislation and bring forward amendments -- a call that went largely unanswered when she issued it to MPs. ... Read More

Senate prepares to pass controversial Bill C-5 – June 25th, 2025 – Prime Minister Mark Carney’s controversial Bill C-5 is all but guaranteed to become law, but politicians have one last opportunity to make changes to the bill. ... Read More

La cheffe de l’APN demande au Sénat de ralentir l’adoption du projet de loi C-5 – June 25th, 2025 – La cheffe nationale de l'Assemblée des Premières Nations (APN) a appelé les sénateurs à ralentir la course d'Ottawa pour l'adoption cette semaine du projet de loi C-5 sur les projets d'« intérêt national ». ... Read More

Carney's push for 'nation-building' projects moves ahead despite some Indigenous opposition – June 19th, 2025 – Prime Minister Mark Carney promised during the election campaign to "build big, build bold" and the legislation that would enable federal fast-tracking of major projects appears poised to clear the House of Commons despite some Indigenous opposition. ... Read More

COMMENTARY: Take Bill C-5 off fast track so Canada doesn't mirror U.S. policies – June 19th, 2025 – On Jan. 20, a newly inaugurated Donald Trump shouted a slogan that had become a rallying cry of his campaign: “Drill, baby, drill.” This mantra represented a promise to the billionaire-backed fossil fuel lobby that supported his campaign, and an open threat to the environmental movement that opposed it. ... Read More

Senator says he'll introduce amendment to delay Bill C-5 – June 18th, 2025 – Sen. Paul Prosper says he'll be putting forth an amendment to delay half of the One Canadian Economy Act. Prosper says the bill is moving too quickly through Parliament and is concerned about the level of consultation provided for major projects. ... Read More

Consultation on Bill C-5, economic uncertainty of Trump’s tariffs focus of Indigenous testimony in Canada’s Senate – June 17th, 2025 – Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) President David Chartrand said his people want to do their part to protect Canada from the “mad man” to the south and his threats of tariffs. ... Read More

Freeland defends major project bill as Senate eyes more testimony – June 17th, 2025 – Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland defended Ottawa’s Bill C-5 Monday, dismissing concerns around Indigenous consultation as a motion to fast-track the legislation passed with CPC support. ... Read More

WATCH: United Opposition to Bill C-5 as MPs, Indigenous Leaders and Legal Experts Speak Out – June 16th, 2025 – On June 16, 2025, Green Party Leader MP Elizabeth May hosted a press conference on Parliament Hill to raise urgent concerns about Bill C-5, the so-called Building Canada Act. She was joined by MP Gord Johns from the NDP, Senator Paul “PJ” Prosper, Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige, Anna Johnston of West Coast Environmental Law, and Joshua Ginsberg of Ecojustice. ... Read More

Senator says he'll introduce amendment to delay Bill C-5 – June 16th, 2025 – Sen. Paul Prosper says he'll be putting forth an amendment to delay half of the One Canadian Economy Act. Prosper says the bill is moving too quickly through Parliament and is concerned about the level of consultation provided for major projects. ... Read More

MPs call out Carney's sprint to push major projects bill through Commons – June 16th, 2025 – Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said the drive by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to rush its major projects bill through Parliament this week represents a "new low" in government contempt for Parliament. ... Read More

Conservatives vote with Carney government to rush Bill C-5 – June 16th, 2025 – The federal Conservatives voted with the Liberals on a special order to push a massive piece of legislation on major project approvals through the House of Commons before the week’s end. ... Read More

Elizabeth May calls out Carney’s sprint to push projects bill through Commons – June 16th, 2025 – Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said the drive by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to rush its major projects bill through Parliament this week represents a “new low” in government contempt for Parliament. Speaking at a press conference Monday morning, May said she hasn’t seen anything like it since the Conservative government under Stephen Harper pushed an omnibus bill through more than a decade ago. ... Read More

OPINION - Candace Larsen: The future of Canada depends on Indigenous leadership – May 28th, 2025 – On May 12, CSG Senator Paul Prosper and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak delivered a message Canadians can’t afford to ignore: if this country wants to remain strong… ... Read More

The future of Canada depends on Indigenous leadership – May 28th, 2025 – On May 12, CSG Senator Paul Prosper and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak delivered a message Canadians can’t afford to ignore: if this country wants to remain strong, stable, and sovereign in the face of global uncertainty, it must place Indigenous leadership at the centre of its national priorities. ... Read More

First Nations call on Carney to deliver on clean water and housing in first 100 days – May 14th, 2025 – Prime Minister Mark Carney's government faces its first major test on Indigenous infrastructure when Parliament resumes - First Nations leaders are demanding reintroduction of stalled water legislation and new investments in community-led housing within the first 100 days ... Read More

First Nations Leaders Urge Carney Government to Pass Drinking Water Bill and Act on Key Indigenous Priorities Within 100 Days – May 13th, 2025 – First Nations leaders are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new government to move swiftly on key Indigenous priorities, including the passage of long-promised drinking water legislation, within the first 100 days of Parliament’s return. ... Read More

Critical Mention – May 13th, 2025 – A group of indigenous leaders held press conference on Monday, laying out their priorities for the first 100 days of the new Liberal government ... Read More

45th Parliament: Sen. Prosper and First Nations Leaders Outline Priorities – May 13th, 2025 – Nova Scotia Senator Paul Prosper (Canadian Senators Group) holds a news conference in Ottawa along with a number of First Nations chiefs and leaders joining him in person and virtually. The participants, including Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, outline First Nations priorities for the return of Parliament. The 45th Parliament is set to begin sitting on May 26, 2025. (May 12, 2025) (no interpretation) ... Read More

First Nations leaders want drinking water bill within 100 days of Parliament’s return – May 13th, 2025 – 7 priorities outlined by leaders including Sen. Paul Prosper, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse. First Nations leaders are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to tackle a number key priorities in the first 100 days of Canada's new Parliament. ... Read More

Daily Recap - May 12, 2025 – May 13th, 2025 – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith makes an announcement on supporting industry amid economic uncertainty. She is joined at the news conference in Edmonton by Rebecca Schulz, the minister of environment and protected areas. Quebec Premier François Legault takes questions from reporters in Nicolet after attending an awards ceremony for Journée de reconnaissance policière (Police Appreciation Day). ... Read More