Kahnawake opposes Canada-Quebec deal

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) has sent a letter objecting to a draft agreement between Canada and Quebec that would ease impact assessments and introduce a “one project, one review” approach.

That means if Quebec were to review a project, Canada would no longer do its own review, and vice versa. At a time when the Building Canada Act is seen by First Nations as weakening an already dubious consultation process, the agreement is cause for concern, according to MCK grand chief Cody Diabo.

“Our view is that currently in Quebec the consultation practices are abysmal, even worse than in other places,” said Diabo. “To try and expedite things is just not the right way to go.”

The MCK cited the recent Northvolt debacle, in which Quebec diminished requirements for triggering an environmental assessment to expedite the proposed battery plant’s approval, in hopes of securing the economic benefits it believed would flow from the proposed battery plant.

In 2024, the MCK sued the provincial and federal governments for failing to engage in consultations for the project, which would have been built in the Monteregie. The duty to consult with affected First Nations is a requirement under the Canadian Constitution and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Northvolt ultimately ended up losing the province hundreds of millions of dollars after the project was cancelled in 2025.

“Government shouldn’t be expediting processes like that because it never bodes well for them,” Diabo said.

He also pointed out that the Terrapure battery recycling plant, which has been charged under the Fisheries Act for allegedly discharging toxic water into the St. Lawrence Seaway, possesses provincial permits. While that would be unaffected by the draft agreement, Diabo sees it as indicative of Quebec’s approach.

“It’s definitely very concerning. We’ve seen the project approvals that they’re doing,” said Diabo.

He said the federal government’s processes are usually a little better, but that even under the current regime he believes Canada frequently capitulates to the province. If Canada were to exit the discussion altogether, it could only make matters worse, he suggested, whereas he believes the process should be strengthened.

“I get it, they want to move fast on developing projects, but engage us early on and have the conversation rather than bringing us on later on,” he said.

The federal government has already finalized similar impact assessment agreements with several other provinces. Canada has argued that these deals are an asset, rather than a harm, to Indigenous communities.

“It will provide the kind of predictability that will benefit both to investors and to Indigenous rights holders, ensuring that major projects move forward efficiently and responsibly,” said Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister responsible for Canada-US trade, intergovernmental affairs, internal trade, and One Canadian Economy.

In the same press release, Quebec’s minister of Economy, Innovation, and Energy, Bernard Drainville, pitched the deal as an economic necessity.

“Companies need an efficient and predictable framework to carry out their projects,” said Drainville. “By adopting the principle of a single environmental assessment and a single government decision for each project, we are further streamlining processes procedures, reducing delays and lowering costs for proponents, while still maintaining some of the most stringent environmental standards.”

While Diabo doesn’t have high hopes that feedback from Kahnawake and other First Nations communities will be taken seriously, he said it was nevertheless a priority to weigh in.

“I don’t put a lot of faith in it, but it’s important that we document our position and put it out there,” Diabo said.

The draft agreement is now under review and closed for public comments. The next step is the publication of a final agreement between Canada and Quebec.

marcus@easterndoor.com

Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter