Attorney General Sean Fraser has publicly apologized after saying First Nations do not have a veto over major pipeline projects — a remark he now says was disrespectful and damaging to the federal government’s relationship with Indigenous communities.Blacklock's Reporter says Fraser retracted his comments outside a Liberal caucus meeting, telling reporters he had spoken with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse, who expressed frustration over his remarks. “I did apologize to the National Chief,” Fraser said. “Despite innocent intentions I think my comments actually caused hurt and potentially eroded a very precarious trust that has been built up over many years.”.The controversy began Tuesday when Fraser, speaking about Ottawa’s role in approving major energy projects, appeared to downplay indigenous authority.Asked whether indigenous communities have a veto, Fraser responded: “It demands a very deep level of engagement,” but added that from his understanding, it “stops short of a complete veto.”Pressed further, Fraser described it as “not necessarily a blanket veto power,” while acknowledging the issue was in “new territory.” On Wednesday, Fraser admitted he should have rejected the premise of the question entirely. “I need to be very clear,” he said. “I think I learned my lesson.”.The apology comes amid ongoing tension over energy development and indigenous rights. In 2020, widespread First Nations blockades halted rail traffic and disrupted ports across Canada, following opposition by Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs to the Coastal GasLink pipeline in British Columbia. At the time, federal briefing notes described the blockades as an exercise of “important democratic rights,” and emphasized the need for respectful dialogue.The disruptions in 2020 affected more than 50 sites, cost an estimated $283 million, and led to over 1,000 job losses, including 450 CN Rail layoffs. VIA Rail alone reported $33.6 million in losses due to suspended service, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office.Fraser stressed his intent was not to portray indigenous peoples as opposed to development. “I wanted to apologize for some of the comments,” he said. “What I should have done was reject the premise of the question. It’s essential that we work in partnership.”
