Bill C-5: A Silent Power Shift That Could Reshape Canada Forever

What if the government could rewrite laws—silently, behind closed doors—without needing Parliament’s approval or Indigenous consent?
This isn’t a conspiracy. It’s not fiction.
It’s Bill C-5, and it’s now law in Canada.

What Is Bill C-5?

Officially titled the One Canadian Economy Act, Bill C-5 was passed in June 2025 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government. It promises to speed up the construction of critical infrastructure—such as housing, renewable energy, and transportation—by cutting through the so-called "red tape" of environmental assessments and federal oversight.

Sounds efficient, right? But critics argue that beneath its surface lies something far more dangerous: a legal tool that centralizes unprecedented power in Cabinet.

The Controversy: What’s at Stake?

At the heart of the uproar are "Henry VIII clauses"—provisions that allow Cabinet ministers to override existing federal laws without going back to Parliament.

That means:

• Environmental protections like the Fisheries Act or Species at Risk Act can be bypassed.
• Major energy or mining projects can move forward without robust Indigenous consultation.
• Communities impacted by these developments may have no voice in the decisions that affect their lands, waters, and rights.

Environmental groups have called this a “constitutional overreach.” Indigenous leaders say it's a violation of treaty rights and a direct assault on self-determination.

Who's Pushing Back?

Indigenous Leaders & First Nations

Organizations like the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) have publicly denounced Bill C-5. Some have already begun mobilizing legal strategies, arguing that the bill violates Section 35 of the Constitution and Canada’s obligations under UNDRIP.

“You cannot build a so-called ‘One Canadian Economy’ by steamrolling over Indigenous laws, lands, and lives.”
— AFN Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak

Environmental Organizations

Leading legal nonprofits like Ecojustice and coalitions including the David Suzuki Foundation, Sierra Club Canada, and Environmental Defence have demanded Senate reform or a full repeal.

“This bill is not modernization. It’s a rollback of democracy, accountability, and environmental law.”
— Ecojustice

Can It Be Stopped?

Yes—but not easily.

Several groups are preparing legal challenges that could:

• Invalidate sections of Bill C-5
• Reinstate environmental protections
• Reinforce the government’s duty to consult with Indigenous nations

Courts could strike down the bill if it’s found to violate constitutional protections, particularly Indigenous rights or the division of federal and provincial powers.

Why This Matters to All Canadians

Bill C-5 may have been sold as a way to speed up housing and green infrastructure—but it sets a dangerous precedent: that federal laws can be rewritten in secret, without public debate or Indigenous consent.

This is not just an Indigenous issue.
It’s not just an environmental issue.
It’s a Canadian democracy issue.

What You Can Do

• Stay informed: Follow updates from groups like Ecojustice and Indigenous networks.
• Contact your MP: Demand transparency and a repeal or revision of Bill C-5.
• Support legal action: Donate to or amplify the voices of legal and Indigenous advocacy groups.
• Vote: Hold lawmakers accountable at the ballot box.

Final Thoughts

Bill C-5 may have passed quietly in Parliament, but its consequences could echo for generations. Behind the promise of progress lies a silent shift of power—away from the people, and toward executive control.

In a democracy, silence is dangerous.
Now is the time to speak.