As Canada moves ahead with major nation-building legislation in the face of U.S. economic threats, the public remains deeply divided over how these projects intersect with Indigenous rights, and indeed, many are unaware of what those rights even entail.

New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds many Canadians in favour of meaningful consultation and accommodation of First Nations for projects deemed in the national interest. Two-in-five believe that this is needed, but that the government and companies building the projects should retain final say (40%). One-quarter say First Nations should have a veto if projects infringe on their traditional territory, and the same number say infrastructure in the national interest should proceed regardless of objections.

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