AFN chief warns against changes to major projects development rules, calls for debate

By Alessia Passafiume The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says proposed changes to major project development rules “are not acceptable” and risk trampling on the rights of First Nations. The federal government is proposing giving authority to review interprovincial pipelines and transmission lines, and offshore renewable energy projects, to the Canada Energy Regulator instead of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. The proposal, which will undergo a 30-day consultation process, would undo the move the Liberals made eight years ago to create the Impact Assessment Agency as a …