Event22 September 2026Statement

AFN National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak warns Carney against 'abusing' his majority to pass C-39 and against rushing the West Coast pipeline

A day after Bill C-39 was tabled, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said: 'We warn the government against abusing its majority status and dishonoring the Crown through procedural tools, time allocation or closure to frustrate Parliament's ability to hear from rights holders and consider amendments.' She asked that the proposed West Coast oil pipeline not be designated a project of national interest until engagement with affected First Nations is complete, and said a one-year consultation timeline was 'tight' (APTN News, 22 September 2026; also reported by CP24 and The Globe and Mail).

Date

22 September 2026

Kind

Statement

Where

Canada

Evidence

Statement: Something was said. Weighted lowest: words cost less than actions. How evidence is weighed

Who

Mark Carney (target); Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak (spoke); Assembly of First Nations (acted)

Sources

• CP24, “AFN chief warns Carney against abusing majority to pass major projects bill” (external site), 22 September 2026. source record
• APTN News, “AFN warns Ottawa not to rush Bill C-39 or West Coast pipeline” (external site), 22 September 2026. source record
• The Globe and Mail, “AFN criticizes federal push to set timelines for major project approvals” (external site), September 2026. paywalled excerpt only source record

Laws and agreements

• Building Canada Strong Act (C-39)

Projects

• Pacific Link (West Coast oil pipeline)