Latest news with #RoyalAssent
National Observer
6 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
Carney's controversial major projects bill becomes law
Prime Minister Mark Carney's Bill C-5 is now law after the Senate passed the bill without any changes. Along with removing federal barriers to internal trade, the legislation allows the federal cabinet to conditionally approve projects it deems 'in the national interest' before regulatory processes take place and enable cabinet to exempt those projects from many laws and regulations. The projects that will be fast-tracked under the new law have not yet been chosen. Carney solicited 'wish lists' of projects from the premiers at the recent federal-provincial gathering in Saskatoon, Sask. For the next five years, cabinet can designate projects as 'in the national interest' but after that, the list will close. As long as a project is on the list before the sunset clause kicks in, it can be exempted from laws. A coalition of environmental groups quickly condemned the passage of the controversial major projects bill, saying it erodes democratic principles, runs roughshod over Indigenous rights, shuts Canadians out of decisions that could affect them and puts the environment at risk. 'Bill C-5 is an assault on science and democracy,' Anna Johnston, a staff lawyer at West Coast Environmental Law Association, said in a statement. 'For more than half a century, we have made decisions according to the basic principle that we should look before we leap. Bill C-5 throws that principle out the window.' Some senators did attempt to amend the government bill, which authorizes cabinet to override many environmental laws and regulations to build major projects like port infrastructure, pipelines and electricity infrastructure. But their efforts were in vain. 'Bill C-5 is an assault on science and democracy,' said Anna Johnston, a staff lawyer at West Coast Environmental Law. On Thursday the Senate passed the controversial major projects bill with no amendments and it received Royal Assent soon after Sen. Paul Prosper tried to change the bill to force cabinet to always consider specific factors when deciding which projects to designate for fast-tracking. As written, the factors — including considering clean growth and Canada's climate change commitments — are just a suggestion and can be ignored. Along with making the factors mandatory, Prosper sought to add the requirement of 'obtaining the free, prior and informed consent' of Indigenous Peoples to the factors. His amendment and several others were all defeated. The government's decision to force the bill through before summer and limit study and debate has damaged relationships with First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities, Sen. Paula Simons said on Tuesday. The Chiefs of Ontario held a rally at Parliament Hill last week and about 350 people turned out to oppose the legislation. Prosper, a Mi'kmaq lawyer and regional chief for Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, said 'by investing a few more months into this bill and ensuring that rights holders had an opportunity to share their thoughts and offer revisions, we would've seen this bill pass with overwhelming support.' In his speech, he quoted Chief Shelley Moore-Frappier of Temagami First Nation who called bill C-5 a 'betrayal' of reconciliation. Prosper used much of his time to highlight the many concerns raised by First Nations leaders, enshrining their quotes into the record. 'Canada continues to speak about nation-to-nation relationships and reconciliation; this legislation does the opposite,' he said, quoting Moore-Frappier. 'It asserts power over First Peoples — over our resources and rights. It was developed without us. It vaguely addresses our constitutional and treaty protections. And if passed, it will further entrench unilateralism as the default method of governing First peoples.' Many senators, including Sen. Brian Francis, lamented that they had so little time to study the bill's substance and impact. Francis called it a 'potentially dangerous bill' that risks undermining public trust. Others, including Sen. Leo Housakos still had criticisms of the bill, calling it a 'poor piece of legislative crafting' put together 'without any real thinking and strategic planning' that is 'highly aspirational.' But he ultimately supported the bill and the decision to fast-track it. Sen. Hassan Yussuff repeatedly urged the senators to pass the bill without amendments. He said opposition MPs made amendments that addressed some concerns and strengthened the bill. He also reiterated Carney's argument that the government was elected on a clear mandate to move quickly in response to the trade war with US President Donald Trump's administration. In the House of Commons, Senate and among the Canadian public, there is overwhelming support for building big, nationally beneficial infrastructure projects. A new Angus Reid survey found 74 per cent of Canadians support 'fast-tracking' major projects. But the consensus starts to fracture when it comes to the specifics like provincial jurisdiction, environmental protection and Indigenous rights. Forty-nine per cent of Canadians, in the same survey, said they oppose bypassing environmental reviews to speed things up. The online survey took place from June 20 to 23, among a randomized sample of 1,619 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum. Environment and climate groups, labour organizations, Indigenous leaders and legal experts tried (in the limited time available) to get MPs to change the law. Last week, Conservative and Bloc Québécois MPs made some changes to ensure cabinet won't be able to override a list of laws, including the Criminal Code, Canada Labour Code and Indian Act. The changes help curtail the expansive powers the legislation affords cabinet, but it can still override most environmental laws and regulations, including the Species at Risk Act, Fisheries Act and Impact Assessment Act. A briefing prepared by West Coast Environmental Law warned that bad impact assessments lead to major problems, like the collapse of the Mount Polley tailings dam in 2014. It is still the biggest environmental disaster in Canada's history, authors Anna Johnston and Kristen Theriault wrote. Approximately 25 billion litres of wastewater and tailings from the copper and gold mine — including 134.1 tonnes of lead, 2.8 tonnes of cadmium and 2.1 tonnes of arsenic — spilled into the environment and nearby bodies of water. A 2016 investigation by the Auditor General of British Columbia found that the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines did not ensure that the tailings dams were designed or operated in accordance with the approved plan or original project certificate, the briefing noted. The project never went through an independent, public environmental assessment, according to the briefing. On the flip side, a strong impact assessment can have positive impacts. For example, in 1997, the federal and provincial government, the Labrador Inuit Association and the Innu Nation worked together on an assessment for the Voisey's Bay nickel-copper-cobalt mine in northern Labrador. To avoid the boom-bust cycle that leaves the next generation in the lurch, the panel recommended the company decrease production so the mine can operate for longer and keep community members employed. The company agreed to produce only 6,000 tonnes per day compared to its original proposal of 20,000 tonnes per day and it is still operating. In her speech on Wednesday, Sen. Paula Simons said she worries Bill C-5 is 'overcorrecting in expediting mega projects that may not be of local interest, even if they are of national interest.'
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Your rights as a renter: The key changes coming in which will affect pet owners and benefit claimants
Renters are being given greater protection, but how will the changes affect you? From gorgeous Georgian town houses to jaw-dropping penthouses, converted campervans to bargain boltholes. Take a peek at the finest homes across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... New rules affecting landlords and their tenants are set to come into force soon They have been drawn up to protect people renting privately The changes include greater rights for families and pet owners Notice periods for both tenants and their landlords will also be affected The Renters' Rights Bill includes new measures to help tenants with both children and pets | NDABCREATIVITY - The Renters' Rights Bill will deliver one of the biggest shake-ups the UK's property rental market has ever witnessed. With more than five million households across the country privately renting, it promises to have a huge impact on a large proportion of the population. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The new legislation is currently going through the House of Lords and could receive Royal Assent before MPs break up for the summer, or soon after they return. That means the new laws, giving renters greater rights, are likely to come into effect any time from the end of summer 2025 to early 2026. Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: 'The new Renters' Rights Bill will improve standards for renters. 'Key changes include banning rental bidding wars, abolishing section 21 or no-fault evictions and introducing a landlord ombudsman to resolve the disputes between landlords and tenants. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It will also introduce a Decent Homes Standard, which means that all rental properties must be of a minimum standard.' Below are some of the key changes being made and how they might affect you, if you are one of the estimated 5.4 million households in the UK privately renting. Pet owners The new rules coming in will strengthen the rights of tenants to request a pet in the property. Any request must be considered on a case-by-case basis by the landlord, who cannot 'unreasonably' refuse permission. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If a tenant feels their landlord has unreasonably refused their request, they can complain to the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman or take their case to court. Landlords will be able to require tenants to take out pet insurance to cover any damage to the property. Families with children and people on benefits Lanlords will not be able to discriminate against families with children or people receiving benefits. Although they will still be able to decide who they let their property to, they must do so based on suitability and affordability, and they cannot rule out a prospective tenant on the grounds they have children or are claiming benefits. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The new rules are designed to prevent both obviously discriminatory 'no DSS' adverts and 'indirect' practices which purposely prevent families or people receiving benefits from renting a property. Landlords breaching these rules could be fined up to £7,000. No fault evictions and notice periods The headline change within the new legislation is the abolition of section 21 evictions, also known as 'no-fault evictions', and additional measures to give tenants greater security. The new system will end the use of fixed-term assured tenancies, which have until now been the most common private rental agreements. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Instead, all tenancies will be periodic, meaning tenants can remain in their home until they decide to end the tenancy by giving two months' notice. The Government says this will stop tenants being stuck paying rent for 'substandard' properties and will give them greater flexibility when circumstances change - for example, if they get a new job or their relationship breaks down. Landlords will be able to take possession of the property if they want to sell it or if they or another family member plans to live their themselves, but they must give their tenant four months notice and they cannot do so in the first 12 months of a new tenancy. Landlords will still be able to evict tenants falling into rent arrears but the mandatory threshold for doing so will increase from two to three months, with the notice period doubling from two to four weeks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bidding wars The new rules have also been designed to put an end to bidding wars. Landlords and letting agents will be required to publish an asking rent for the property and will not be able to accept any bids above that amount. Rent in advance Landlords will be banned from asking new tenants for large amounts of rent in advance. They will only be allowed to require up to one month's rent in advance, once a tenancy agreement has been signed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Decent Homes Standard A new Decent Homes Standard (DHS) is being introduced in the private rented sector for the first time, to prevent living in poor quality accommodation. If a property fails to meet the new requirement, the local council will be able to issue an improvement notice ordering the landlord to bring it up to scratch within a set time period. Should they faily to comply, they could be prosecuted. The new rules above are not the only changes being made as part of the new Renters' Rights Bill but they are among the biggest. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Focus Malaysia
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Azalina: Online safety act to be enforced soon
MALAYSIA is set to enforce the Online Safety Act 2024 soon following its full passage through Parliament and Royal Assent. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, said the Act has already been gazetted and is now awaiting the official enforcement date to be signed by Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. She said the law will give authorities greater powers to regulate digital platforms and bolster safeguards, particularly to protect children from online harm. Azalina said the law will come into force as soon as Fahmi signs the enforcement order, enabling the government to act swiftly in removing unlawful content. Under the Act, platform providers will also be required to uphold a defined duty of care. 'After that, there will be a joint council (Online Safety Committee) to define online harms,' she said at a press conference after the monthly assembly of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) and launch of the National Legal Academy (APN). Azalina said that while the Online Safety Act centres on platform regulation and digital responsibility, any matter involving children must also be viewed through the lens of the Child Act 2001. On a separate note, she stressed the urgent need for stronger legal frameworks to ensure corporate accountability, particularly in cases involving public safety and transport negligence. Citing the recent bus crash that claimed the lives of 15 UPSI students, Azalina called for policy-level discussions on corporate liability, including the potential introduction of corporate manslaughter laws. 'How can a company run a business and not be held responsible? Take the example of what happened with Air India. 'If something goes wrong mechanically, it should not be enough to just pay out insurance. Someone must be held accountable,' she stressed. ‒ June 16, 2025 Main image: Bernama
Global News
06-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Liberals set to table bill on knocking down internal trade barriers
The Liberal government is poised to table landmark legislation to break down internal trade barriers and increase labour mobility within Canada. The government has put a bill on the House of Commons notice paper that could potentially be tabled as early as today. Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to break down internal trade barriers by Canada Day to create one economy — although the time left on the parliamentary calendar suggests the legislation will not gain Royal Assent by the time the House rises for the summer. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It also comes just days after Carney met with the country's premiers to discuss the need to build major projects across Canada and fast-track their approval. 1:51 U.S. may be looking to remove non-tariff barriers, report shows Several other provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, have also tabled such legislation to remove interprovincial barriers to the trade of goods across the country. Story continues below advertisement It comes against a backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump roiling the country's economy with stop-and-go tariffs in an escalating trade war — and as Carney has been engaged in behind-the-scenes talks with Trump on trade.
National Observer
06-06-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Liberals poised to table bill to remove internal trade barriers
The Liberal government is poised to table landmark legislation to break down internal trade barriers and increase labour mobility within Canada. The government has put a bill on the House of Commons notice paper that could potentially be tabled as early as today. Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to break down internal trade barriers by Canada Day to create one economy — although the time left on the parliamentary calendar suggests the legislation will not gain Royal Assent by the time the House rises for the summer. It also comes just days after Carney met with the country's premiers to discuss the need to build major projects across Canada and fast-track their approval. Several other provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, have also tabled such legislation to remove interprovincial barriers to the trade of goods across the country. It comes against a backdrop of US President Donald Trump roiling the country's economy with stop-and-go tariffs in an escalating trade war — and as Carney has been engaged in behind-the-scenes talks with Trump on trade.
