Fort McKay First Nation Oil Sands Royalty Regulations (proposed), pursuant to the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act
On this page
- Title or working title of the regulatory initiative
- Enabling act(s)
- Description
- Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
- Potential impacts on Canadians, including business
- Consultations
- Further information
- Departmental contact
- The date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan
- Find out more
Title or working title of the regulatory initiative
Fort McKay First Nation Oil Sands Royalty Regulations (proposed), pursuant to the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act
Enabling act(s)
First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act
Description
The proposed Fort McKay First Nation Oil Sands Royalty Regulations would leverage the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act (FNCIDA) to address regulatory gaps for a major project taking place on reserve. Fort McKay First Nation, the Province of Alberta and Canada worked collaboratively to co-develop the Fort McKay First Nations Oil Sands Regulations, which were enacted in 2007 and incorporate by reference key provincial legislation that pertains to the monitoring and enforcement of oil sands operations in Alberta. These regulations were amended in 2023 to reflect current provincial standards for oil sands mines.
No existing system calculates royalties for an on-reserve oil sands development project. The proposed regulations would incorporate by reference the Province of Alberta's oil sands royalties regime so that it would apply on Fort McKay First Nation Reserve No. 174C, with royalties ultimately flowing to the First Nation. The proposed regulations would establish the royalty regime necessary for an oil sands mining development currently being pursued by the First Nation and their commercial partner, and other possible future oil sands development.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
This initiative is not under a specific formal regulatory cooperation work plan.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including business
This proposal would support economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples as well as the Province of Alberta's interest in regional economic development within the oil sands industry. It would also support a major economic development project on reserve lands, which would generate prosperity for Fort McKay First Nation.
Consultations
Regulations under FNCIDA are only made at the request of participating First Nations. The proposed regulations would be project-specific, developed in cooperation with Fort McKay First Nation and the Province of Alberta, and limited to the specific lands described in the proposed regulations. The proposed regulations are necessary to ensure a seamless regulatory environment between similar projects on and off reserve. They apply only to the proposed project site and affect only Fort McKay First Nation. Fort McKay First Nation conducted major community consultations in 2021 and in 2023 about development of their oil sands lands. 10 sessions occurred involving various demographics and community groups. During those sessions, the community supported moving forward with a new oil sands mining project on Fort McKay 174C. The proposed regulations support this project. Fort McKay First Nation Chief and Council have signed a Band Council Resolution requesting Canada make oil sands royalties regulations under FNCIDA.
Further information
Not applicable.
Departmental contact
Jessica Wong
Director
Statutory, Legislative and Policy Implementation Directorate
Lands and Economic Development Sector
Tel.: 416-999-5681
Email: jessica.wong2@sac-isc.gc.ca
The date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan
September 2025
Find out more
Consult Indigenous Services Canada's Laws and Regulations web page for:
- a list of acts and regulations administered by Indigenous Services Canada and Indian Oil and Gas Canada
- further information on Indigenous Services Canada and Indian Oil and Gas Canada's implementation of government-wide regulatory management initiatives
Consult the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and supporting policies and guidance, and for information on government-wide regulatory initiatives implemented by departments and agencies across the Government of Canada:
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit: