Open for Input
Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas (AB)
Wood bison were listed as threatened in Alberta in 2021 due to disease and human conflict. The government is developing a recovery plan to protect disease-free populations in northern Alberta. Right now, they're working with Indigenous communities...
Why This Matters: Live in northern Alberta near wood bison habitat? This plan could affect land use and development in your area. Indigenous communities have traditional ties to these animals. Even if you're not nearby, this is about whether Alberta can save a threatened species before it's too late.
Policy & Studies
Environment & Climate
Indigenous & Northern
Open for Input
Saskatoon, SK
Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation wants to rezone their property in Saskatoon's Riversdale area from residential to institutional use. The change would allow community facilities like cultural centres, educational spaces, or recreational programs. Right now...
Why This Matters: Live near 20th Street West in Saskatoon? This rezoning could bring new community services to your neighbourhood. Indigenous community facilities often provide cultural programming, education, and gathering spaces that benefit the broader community too.
Community Planning
Housing & Communities
Indigenous & Northern
Open for Input
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (NT)
The NWT government is developing regulations for its new Mineral Resources Act. This part focuses on benefit agreements and socio-economic policies for mining projects. They want your input on how mining companies should share benefits with...
Why This Matters: Live in the NWT? Mining is a major employer and economic driver. These rules will determine what benefits flow to your community from mining projects. Indigenous communities especially have a stake in how benefit agreements are structured.
Regulations & Permits
Economy & Jobs
Indigenous & Northern
Natural Resources
Open for Input
Transport Canada (Federal)
Open until March 31, 2031
Canada is investing $1.5 billion to protect its coasts and waterways. The government wants your input on how to do it better. Topics include Indigenous partnerships, marine safety, and environmental protection.
Why This Matters: Live near the coast? Work in fishing, shipping, or tourism? This plan affects how Canada protects its waters for the next decade. Indigenous communities have a direct stake in how these partnerships are built.
Policy & Studies
Environment & Climate
Indigenous & Northern
Transportation
Closed
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (ON)
Ontario wants to replace its current environmental assessment process for municipal projects like roads, water systems, and sewage plants. The new rules would speed up approvals for housing-related infrastructure while keeping archaeological...
Why This Matters: Waiting for a new home? This could speed up construction of the roads, water, and sewer systems needed for new housing developments. If you live near a proposed project, you'd have 30 days to comment on draft reports instead of navigating the current complex process. Indigenous communities would...
Regulations & Permits
Environment & Climate
Housing & Communities
Indigenous & Northern
Closed
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Federal)
The federal government is working with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke and other First Nations to study how past, present, and future development affects the St. Lawrence River area. They've drafted a plan for how this regional assessment will...
Why This Matters: Live near the St. Lawrence? This assessment will shape how future projects—ports, pipelines, industrial facilities—get evaluated in your region. It's a chance to flag environmental concerns before specific projects even get proposed. Indigenous communities have a lead role here, which could set a...
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Indigenous & Northern
Closed
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Federal)
Patriot Battery Metals wants to build a lithium mine about 250 km east of Radisson, Quebec. It would be both open-pit and underground, producing ore for about 24 years. The federal government is gathering feedback before deciding whether to require...
Why This Matters: Lithium powers the batteries in electric vehicles and phones. This mine could help secure Canada's supply chain for the clean energy transition. But it's in remote northern Quebec, raising questions about impacts on water, wildlife, and Indigenous communities. If you care about how Canada balances...
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Indigenous & Northern
Natural Resources
Closed
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Federal)
Manitoba wants to build a 141-kilometre gravel highway connecting three remote First Nations communities east of Lake Winnipeg. The road would link Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation, and God's Lake First Nation, including two bridges...
Why This Matters: Live in or near these communities? Year-round road access could transform daily life. Right now, residents rely on winter roads and expensive flights. Better access means easier travel for medical appointments, lower costs for groceries and supplies, and new economic opportunities. But construction...
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Indigenous & Northern
Transportation
Closed
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Federal)
A company wants to build a massive lithium mine in northern Quebec, about 250 km east of Radisson. The Shaakichiuwaanaan Mining Project would be both open-pit and underground, producing 49,500 tonnes of ore daily for 24 years. The federal government...
Why This Matters: Lithium powers the batteries in electric vehicles and phones. This mine could help Canada become a major supplier. But it's in remote northern Quebec, on traditional Indigenous territory. If you care about the energy transition, Indigenous rights, or northern development, this one matters.
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Indigenous & Northern
Natural Resources
Open for Input
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Federal)
This bill would make it a crime to sterilize someone without their informed consent. It responds to documented cases of forced sterilization of Indigenous women in Canadian hospitals. The bill has passed the Senate and is now before the House of...
Why This Matters: Forced sterilization has happened to Indigenous women in Canada as recently as 2018. This bill would give survivors a path to justice and deter future abuses. If you've experienced medical procedures without proper consent, or care about reproductive rights, this matters.
Legislation
Health & Safety
Indigenous & Northern
Justice & Rights
Open for Input
Senate Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples (Federal)
The Senate is studying parts of the federal budget bill that affect Indigenous peoples. Part 4 and Division 35 of Part 5 deal with Indigenous tax powers and modern treaty implementation. The committee is hearing from First Nations leaders...
Why This Matters: This affects how First Nations can collect taxes and manage their own finances. If you're Indigenous, these changes could affect services in your community. Even if you're not, this shapes how Canada honours its treaty obligations.
Legislation
Finance & Consumer
Indigenous & Northern
Open for Input
Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages (Federal)
The Senate's Official Languages Committee is conducting several ongoing studies. They're examining how federal institutions support arts and culture in minority language communities, looking at health services for French and English minorities, and...
Why This Matters: Speak French outside Quebec? English in Quebec? This affects you. The committee is looking at whether you can get healthcare in your language and whether your community's cultural organizations get proper federal support. Their findings could shape how the government protects language rights across...
Policy & Studies
Indigenous & Northern
Justice & Rights
Open for Input
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (Federal)
Bill S-2 proposes changes to who qualifies for Indian status under the Indian Act. Previous amendments didn't fully fix sex-based discrimination in how status is passed down through generations. This bill aims to address those remaining gaps and...
Why This Matters: Were you or your ancestors denied Indian status because of outdated rules? This bill could change that. Thousands of Indigenous people lost status rights due to sex discrimination in the Indian Act. If you've been affected—or know someone who has—this directly impacts your family's legal...
Legislation
Indigenous & Northern
Justice & Rights
Open for Input
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (Federal)
The Senate is examining whether the federal government is actually following through on its commitments to residential school survivors and their families. This study reviews the government's response to a 2023 report called "Honouring the Children...
Why This Matters: Residential schools affected generations of Indigenous families across Canada. If you're Indigenous, this is about whether the government is actually doing what it promised your community. If you're not, it's about whether Canada is living up to its reconciliation commitments. Everyone has a stake...
Policy & Studies
Indigenous & Northern
Justice & Rights
Closed
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Federal)
Canada needs somewhere to put its used nuclear fuel—forever. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization wants to build a deep underground repository near Ignace, Ontario, on land selected with Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. The facility would store...
Why This Matters: Nuclear power generates about 15% of Canada's electricity. All that power creates waste that stays radioactive for thousands of years. Where we put it matters—to communities near the site, to Indigenous nations whose traditional territories are affected, and to future generations who'll inherit...
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Indigenous & Northern
Natural Resources
Closed
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Federal)
A company wants to build a large open-pit iron and vanadium mine in northern Quebec, on traditional Cree territory. The project includes a 49-kilometre railroad to ship ore to a marine terminal. Right now, the government is asking for feedback on...
Why This Matters: Live in the Chibougamau area? This mine would operate for 21 years, processing 5 million tonnes of ore annually. That means jobs, but also potential impacts on water, wildlife, and traditional Cree land use. Even if you don't live nearby, this is your chance to shape how major mining projects are...
Environmental Assessment
Environment & Climate
Indigenous & Northern
Natural Resources