July 17, 2025
Gatineau, Québec
Canada’s new government is ready to get our country building major projects again – and projects built in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples will be at the forefront of this work.
To that end, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, convened the First Nations Major Projects Summit in Gatineau, Québec, to engage First Nations groups on the Building Canada Act and how to most effectively build major projects in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. Over 250 First Nations leaders, regional organizations, and other Rights Holders’ representatives attended the meeting in person and virtually to share their insights, ideas, and priorities.
The Prime Minister heard from First Nations and discussed how the Building Canada Act was designed to transform the Canadian economy and contribute to greater prosperity for Indigenous communities, through equity and resource management projects. To ensure that these major projects are built in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, the federal government is moving forward with several new measures, including:
- Standing up an Indigenous Advisory Council that will closely work with the new Major Federal Projects Office. Comprised of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, as well as Modern Treaty and Self-Government representatives, the Advisory Council will help ensure Indigenous perspectives and priorities are integrated at each stage.
- Dedicating $40 million in funding for Indigenous participation. From early discussions on which projects to include to ongoing governance and capacity-building, new funding streams will support meaningful participation of Indigenous leadership in nation-building projects.
- Expanding the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program. The government has doubled the program to $10 billion to help unlock capital for Indigenous communities to gain full equity ownership in major nation-building projects.
Collaboration will continue with First Nations leadership at all levels through regional dialogue tables. The Prime Minister will soon meet separately with the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee and Métis leadership to further advance these conversations on a distinctions basis.
Quotes
“It’s time to build big projects that will transform and connect our economy. Central to this mission is shared leadership with Indigenous Peoples. Working in partnership, we can seize this opportunity and build lasting prosperity for generations.”
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
“This Summit marks a turning point. The One Canadian Economy Act is not just about inclusion – it’s about recognizing that prosperity comes when First Nations are full partners in shaping the future. Together, we are building an economy that reflects our shared values, our shared responsibilities, and our shared potential.”
— The Hon. Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services
“Today represents a historic opportunity. Together, we’re beginning the work of building a better future, one in which Indigenous economies and priorities are truly integrated into the national economy. By listening, engaging, and learning in the spirit of true partnership, we are taking the first steps toward that brighter, more equitable future.”
— The Hon. Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
“The One Canadian Economy Act is designed to build Canada strong – building economic resilience here at home while ensuring that First Nations, and all Canadians, benefit. To achieve our objectives, we will – and must – look to advance the interests of Indigenous communities. That is the only path to shared success. The First Nations Major Projects Summit marks the first step in that process – setting the stage to create lasting economic opportunities for First Nations across Canada.”
— The Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy
“It’s time to build major energy and resource projects again in Canada to strengthen our economy and secure our sovereignty in the face of threats. A key part of how we will do this successfully is transforming how we think about First Nations partnership. First Nations are not just participants in our economy – they are the original stewards of this land, Rights Holders, governments, and builders. With meaningful collaboration as partners, they enable us to build better. It’s clear: if we are serious about retooling our economy, then reconciliation must be front and centre, not just at today’s Summit, but in perpetuity.”
— The Hon. Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Quick facts
- Central to the Building Canada Act is Indigenous consultation, participation, equity, and partnership. The Act requires meaningful consultation on which projects are deemed in the national interest and on the conditions that projects will have to meet.
- The Government of Canada will advance nation-building projects while respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples recognized and affirmed by Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and the rights set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the principle of free, prior, and informed consent.
- The Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation is responsible for managing the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program. Loan guarantees are available to support Indigenous equity participation in projects of various sizes, reflecting the diversity of opportunities and economic development priorities in Indigenous communities across Canada.
- By advancing national interest projects, the Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to support economic prosperity, grounded in respect for constitutionally protected rights and modern treaty obligations.
July 16, 2025
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada is one of the countries most exposed to the fundamental restructuring of the global steel industry, with substantial steel exports, high per capita use, and a disproportionately open import market. To remain competitive and grow our economy, Canada must reinforce our strength at home. Our objective is to stabilize the domestic steel market and prevent harmful trade diversion amid current tensions in global steel trade.
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced a suite of targeted measures to stand behind Canada’s steel industry, protect Canadian careers, and invest in our homegrown industrial capacity to build Canada strong. Canada’s new government will:
- Restrict and reduce foreign steel imports entering the Canadian market
- As stated on June 19, 2025, Canada’s new government promised to review our tariff rate quotas for non-free trade agreement (FTA) partners in 30 days. To that end, the following changes to tariff rate quotas will take effect in the coming days.
- First, Canada will tighten the tariff rate quota levels for steel products from non-FTA countries from 100% to 50% of 2024 volumes. Above those levels, a 50% tariff will apply.
- Second, for non-U.S. partners with which we have an FTA, Canada will introduce a tariff rate quota level for steel products at 100% of 2024 volumes and apply a 50% tariff on steel imports above those levels.
- Existing arrangements with our CUSMA partners will remain the same, including no changes to our current trade measures with the U.S.
- The government is reviewing its remission framework to favour the use of Canadian steel and aluminum in Canadian-made products. Canada will reassess its existing trade arrangements with respect to steel, consistent with progress made in the bilateral discussions with the U.S. and taking into account broader steel negotiations.
- Canada will also implement additional tariffs of 25% on steel imports from all non-U.S. countries containing steel melted and poured in China before the end of July.
- These measures will ensure Canadian steel producers are more competitive by protecting them against trade diversion resulting from a fast-changing global environment for steel, creating more resilient supply chains, and unlocking new private capital in Canadian production.
- Invest in Canadian steel workers and production
- Building on the enhancements to Employment Insurance (EI) and the EI Work-sharing, the government is investing $70 million in Labour Market Development Agreements to provide training and income supports for up to 10,000 affected steel workers. Through reskilling investments and increased worker supports, we will ensure workers have the skills and support they need to meet the future needs of the industry.
- To strengthen and ready the workforce to build a more resilient steel industry, Canada will provide $1 billion to the Strategic Innovation Fund to help steel companies advance projects that will increase their competitiveness within the domestic market, catalyze production of steel products not currently produced in Canada, and create jobs in sectors such as defence.
- The Business Development Bank of Canada Pivot to Grow initiative is being enhanced to provide support to eligible steel small and medium-sized enterprises facing liquidity challenges.
- The steel industry will be prioritized with $150 million as part of the government’s Regional Tariff Response Initiative through the Regional Development Agencies.
- Finally, the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan will be updated to expand eligibility and provide lower cost financing to firms in the steel industry. These changes will include reducing the minimum annual revenue requirement from $300 million to $150 million, reducing the minimum loan size from $60 million to $30 million, extending the loan maturity from 5 to 7 years, reducing the initial interest rate, and requiring companies to prioritize worker retention.
- Prioritize Canadian steel to build big projects
- As the federal government delivers on its mandate to build major, national projects and millions more homes faster, we will ensure Canadian steel and other Canadian materials are prioritized in construction. We will also change federal procurement processes to require companies contracting with the federal government to source steel from Canadian companies.
At this transformative moment, we are shifting from reliance to resilience – using Canadian steel to protect our sovereignty, grow our industries, export our energy, and build one strong Canadian economy. It’s time to build big, build bold, and build the strongest economy in the G7 using Canadian steel.
Quotes
“Our steel industry will be central to Canada’s competitiveness, our security, and our prosperity. As Canada moves from reliance to resilience, Canada’s new government is taking a series of major measures to support, reinforce, and transform the industry to be more resilient in the face of profound shifts in global trade and supply chains.”
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
“Our government continues to defend Canadian workers, businesses, and investments as we navigate the new trading environment. At the same time, we are actively strengthening our domestic producers through the significant additional supports announced today, enabling them to build essential infrastructure and ensure the prosperity of workers throughout this key Canadian industry.”
— The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue
“Protecting Canada’s steel industry means defending Canadian jobs, securing our economic sovereignty, and building the future right here at home. Canada’s steelworkers are critical to building a strong Canadian economy; protecting their jobs is protecting Canada’s economic future.”
— The Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“Steel workers and their industry are vital to Canada’s economy. Canada will support workers as their jobs are threatened by tariffs. Today’s announcement will help workers access skills training and retraining tailored to the needs of the steel sector. As we build the strongest country in the G7, the message to Canadian steel workers is clear: we are with you.”
— The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
“Canada is building faster and stronger. By prioritizing Canadian steel and other materials in our projects, we are taking important steps to prioritize Canadian suppliers, protect well-paying jobs, strengthen our supply chain, and support our industry in the face of unjustified U.S. tariffs.”
— The Hon. Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement
