Indigenous council member believes concerns on major projects will be addressed during approval process

The Contrecoeur Marine Terminal in Contrecoeur, Que., Aug. 26. The new Indigenous Advisory Council will shape how the Major Projects Office works with Indigenous peoples.

A member of the new Indigenous Advisory Council created to advise Ottawa on accelerating major projects says he believes concerns around the legislation, including treaty rights and environmental protections, will be addressed as proposals move though the approval process.

Lorne Pelletier, a senior economic adviser for the Manitoba Métis Federation, said the expertise and perspectives of the council members will bring strength to the process and improve it.

The federal government has said the council will provide policy recommendations to the Major Projects Office, but the office itself will be in charge of consulting