ATTAWAPISKAT, NORTH BAY, ON: Released at the end of the day on September 21, 2026, the federal government’s new Bill C-39 builds on the dangerous foundations set by Bill C-5 and introduces a new threat to Indigenous rights and nature, with significant implications for the proposed Ring of Fire.
Among the omnibus bill’s proposed mechanisms to exempt projects from assessment, permitting and protection measures is the creation of “regions of national interest.” Within such regions, projects could advance through an “accelerated process,” so long as a regional assessment has first been conducted.
LAND, together with Here We Stand and Okiniwak, fear the ongoing regional assessment for the proposed Ring of Fire could be the first to be piloted as a ‘region of national interest.’ Not only would this exempt individual mining and infrastructure projects from environmental safeguards and public scrutiny, but all projects within this vast region covering more than 5000km2.
Effectively ‘pre-approving’ mining projects within the Hudson-James Bay Lowlands – where the Ring of Fire is proposed – risks irreparable harm to pristine rivers, globally significant carbon stores, refuges for wildlife and species at risk and the Indigenous Peoples who call this region home.
Jeronimo Kataquapit, Founder of Here We Stand youth-led movement, said: “The emergence of Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C-5 last year set forth a dangerous precedent for not only the environment, but for the erosion of Indigenous Rights through government legislation. With the newly tabled Bill C-39 we find ourselves at a crossroads. How we respond and what actions come next will define the future of the environment, and the future of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike. What we do next isn’t a choice — it’s a responsibility to the future generations. When we talk about the protection of the environment, we talk about the protection of indigenous rights. You cannot erode one without eroding the other. There is no climate justice without Indigenous justice.”
Ramon Kataquapit, Co-founder of Okiniwak, said: “Treaty rights, Natural laws and spiritual duties are much more than bypassable pieces of paper. There’s spirit, communities, and history behind these long stewarded traditional laws, that are far older than any colonial legacy, legislation and implementation – which only protrude from the surface. Without any roots, Bill 5, C-5 and newly tabled C-39 will topple by the hands of people, water, land and animals that these laws stand to negatively affect. Expect our presence, rooted in tradition, supported by love, and guided by unshakable faith in our Creator above.”
Kerrie Blaise, Founder and Legal Counsel at Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence, said: “The constitutionality of Bill C-5 remains a live issue before the courts, and yet the federal government is proceeding with another bill that exacerbates already recognized threats to Indigenous rights and nature. We cannot be idle: if passed, the impacts of this bill would be lasting and forever.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Kerrie Blaise
Founder and Legal Counsel
Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence
kerrie@naturesdefence.ca
705-978-4034
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Here We Stand is an Indigenous youth-led movement to protect our inherent and Treaty rights, our ways of life, the land, the water and animals for current and future generations.
Okiniwak is an Indigenous youth-led movement uniting First Nations youth across Canada to advocate for Indigenous equity and equality.
Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence (LAND) is an environmental law non-profit based in Northern Ontario dedicated to advancing access to justice, to protect nature and Indigenous rights.