Canadian Federal Government: 1) Carney’s cabinet asked to find ‘ambitious savings’ ahead of fall budget 2) Building Canada Act a ‘troubling threat’ to Indigenous rights, says Amnesty International Canada
1) Carney’s cabinet asked to find ‘ambitious savings’ ahead of fall budget
John Paul Tasker, David Cochrane · Courtesy CBC News, Jul 07, 2025
Finance minister wants program spending down 7.5% next year
Federal cabinet ministers have been directed to identify areas to reduce government spending by 7.5 per cent starting next year. The directive comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to more than double spending on defence to meet NATO targets.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne sent letters to his fellow cabinet members Monday asking them to come up with “ambitious savings proposals” to get a handle on public sector spending, according to a senior government official.
Champagne will lead what’s being called a “comprehensive expenditure review,” with the goal of spending less on the day-to-day running of the federal government. This would allow Ottawa to invest more in initiatives that will build “a strong, united Canadian economy,” according to one of the letters.
The wording of the letter was confirmed to CBC News by Champagne’s director of communications.
As part of the drive to find savings, the letter tells ministers to assess whether existing programs within their departments are meeting their objectives, are “core to the federal mandate” and not duplicative of something already being done by other levels of government.
That echoes what Prime Minister Mark Carney promised in the last federal election campaign when he said a government led by him will “spend less, so Canada can invest more” by reining in the growth of federal operational spending while also funnelling money into other priorities.
‘Spend less’ and ‘invest more’
Minister of Finance François-Philippe Champagne sent letters to ministers on Monday, asking them to identify their priorities and find places to cut. (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press)
Carney has already promised to spend much more on defence, including an additional $9.3 billion this fiscal year.
In an interview with CBC’s Power & Politics, Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said this review is about fulfilling “a promise to spend less on the government itself, to invest more in Canada and Canadians.”
Federal funds will be redirected to “significant investments in the productive capacity of the Canadian economy,” building new “trade corridors” and infrastructure projects, she said, as Carney pushes to strengthen the economy in the face of a U.S. trade war that has already led to job loss and a drop in exports.
Freeland said social programs like dental care, early childhood education, daycare and transfers to the provinces to pay for other initiatives “would not be touched” as part of the planned cutbacks.
also be asked to identify three top priorities for the upcoming budget, which is expected to be tabled in the fall.
2) Building Canada Act a ‘troubling threat’ to Indigenous rights, says Amnesty International Canada
Human rights group says Bill C-5 doesn’t safeguard free, prior and informed consent
Edzi’u Loverin, · CBC News · Jul 08, 2025
A global human rights organization has added to calls condemning federal legislation that many say will impact Indigenous rights in Canada.
In a news release Tuesday, Amnesty International Canada said the Building Canada Act (Bill C-5) a law that will allow projects deemed beneficial to national interest to bypass some federal laws, poses a “troubling threat” to the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“The right to free, prior and informed consent is enshrined in domestic and international law, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” the release said.
“Bill C-5 encourages the fast-tracking of infrastructure projects without safeguarding Indigenous Peoples’ right to free, prior and informed consent over development proposals that affect their territories.”
Amnesty International Canada did not respond to a request for an interview.
Bill C-5 became law June 26 with Conservative support, despite opposition from Indigenous leaders across the country.
Twenty-eight senators had backed an amendment proposed by Sen. Paul Prosper to include explicit free, prior, and informed consent by Indigenous Peoples in the language of the law. The amendment was voted down.
Sen. Paul Prosper rose in the Senate chamber Thursday to speak against the way Bill C-5 is moving through Parliament. Prosper says the Liberal major projects bill is being rushed and the government has failed to properly consult Indigenous stakeholders.
“Too often Indigenous peoples are painted as barriers to progress,” Prosper told the Senate during the debate.
“No one wants our children to grow up in squalor with no access to clean water, no opportunity for good paying jobs and no support for our sick and dying. However we do not want success and progress to come along the backs of Indigenous peoples.”
‘Our rights are not for sale’
Prime Minister Mark Carney has framed C-5 as a viable and critical way to combat the urgent economic threat of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the Canadian economy.
The federal government has said that Indigenous Peoples will be consulted during the process of choosing the projects to be designated and the review process for projects chosen will include further consultations with those potentially impacted by them.
The federal government has also announced a series of “summits” that will take place over the summer with First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
- First Nations opposition to Bill C-5 draws comparisons to Idle No More movement
- Bills 5 and C-5 spur Six Nations teach-in on Haudenosaunee rights
A statement last month from the Assembly of First Nations said it would be holding a virtual forum with chiefs on July 10 to discuss amendments made to Bill C-5, ahead of the prime minister’s planned meeting with First Nations on July 17.
Woodhouse previously said her office was given one week to review Bill C-5.
“Canadians and Parliamentarians should know that First Nations are united,” said Woodhouse in the statement.
“Our rights are not for sale.”
Journalist
Edzi’u Loverin is graduate of CBC’s Indigenous Pathways Program and has reported in Vancouver and Winnipeg since 2024. Edzi’u is a member of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and a registered member of the Tahltan Nation, but is currently based in xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ territories. You can email Edzi’u at edziu.loverin@cbc.ca with story ideas.