Latest news with #majorprojects
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Major projects: How Bill C-5 works and why it alarms its critics
OTTAWA — Parliament has passed controversial major projects legislation that Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada needs to shore up its economy in the face of a trade war with the United States. Bill C-5 gives the federal government sweeping new powers to speed up permitting for what the Liberals call "nation-building projects." The legislation's opponents have attacked the legislation as a massive power grab. Here's what's C-5 does and what people are saying about it. What problem is this trying to solve? Canada has built few large projects over the past decade. That has led Conservatives, some provinces and some industry groups to argue that Ottawa's regulatory burdens are holding back growth. The Liberals tried to streamline project approvals through Bill C-69, an impact assessment law meant to resolve environmental and Indigenous concerns upfront to keep projects from getting tied up in the courts. Critics say the legislation has actually been holding back major infrastructure projects since it became law in 2019. Federal Conservatives have dubbed the law the "No More Pipelines Act" and it's deeply unpopular in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Carney was elected in April with a mandate to diversify Canada's economy and ensure exports can more easily reach countries beyond the U.S. Ottawa has also promised to build up northern infrastructure, in part to meet a NATO military alliance spending target for critical infrastructure. Carney said Bill C-5 "creates the ability to flip … the attitude towards those projects once they are selected, once conditions are put in place — how those projects can move forward, as opposed to why." Which projects could be fast-tracked? We don't know yet. The government has pointed to ports, railways and sometimes pipelines. The Ontario government has suggested a major commuter highway tunnel could qualify as a nation-building project. What are the provinces doing? Some provinces have also passed legislation aimed at speeding up development. Ontario's government has given itself the right through Bill 5 to designate "special economic zones" where it can suspend everything from safety rules to environmental and labour standards, with a focus on mining projects. British Columbia's Bill 15 similarly allows the province to expedite the construction of anything from critical mineral mines to local hospitals. What's in the federal bill? The legislation has two main parts. The first part looks to eliminate barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility and work to harmonize various regulations across the country. It also allows Ottawa to decide that goods and services that have met one province's requirements can be deemed to have met "comparable federal requirements" when moving interprovincially. That might involve things like energy efficiency standards on household appliances. The main part of the bill relates to fast-tracking approvals for projects that Ottawa decides are "in the national interest." The government says that decision is meant to be based on five criteria, including whether the project can "strengthen Canada's autonomy, resilience and security," help fight climate change or "advance the interests of Indigenous peoples." Getting that seal of approval would clear all federal approvals for the project — including virtually all environmental laws — while requiring the proponent to fulfil obligations set out by Ottawa. Why the rush? The government fast-tracked Bill C-5 with support from the Conservatives, and the House delivered the bill to the Senate with a programming motion that effectively required the upper chamber to vote on it by Friday. One senator's attempt to split the bill into separate votes was rejected when the Speaker concluded that it wasn't possible at such a late stage. Critics have been calling for a deeper review of the bill, arguing there is no need to rush it through because proposed fast-track projects won't start work before Parliament returns from its summer break. The government also could have had Parliament sit through the summer, instead of sending MPs and senators home for 12 weeks. How do Indigenous Peoples feel? There is widespread opposition to the legislation among First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders, who argue elements of it could be used to undermine their rights. The Assembly of First Nations says the government's plan to set up advisory councils after the bill becomes law does not give real power to Indigenous communities on the ground, and they're upset that the bill didn't mention a UN declaration Ottawa has endorsed that promises those communities "free, prior and informed consent." Some Indigenous communities have welcomed the legislation, including some Alberta communities with economic stakes in energy projects and the Manitoba Métis Federation. Others say they are ready to undertake widespread, disruptive protests against specific projects. — With files from Kyle Duggan This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
News.com.au
22-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
NSW government to launch new authority fast-tracking big business projects
The NSW government is launching a new authority to fast-track major projects and an $80m funding package, as the state gears up for a new wave of investment and innovation. The government will invest $17.7m to establish the Investment Delivery Authority - modelled on the Housing Delivery Authority - to accelerate approvals for major projects and attract investment across sectors such as technology and energy. Businesses have raised concerns about lengthy and complex approval processes, which the government says has hampered productivity and discouraged investment. The new authority is expected to assist around 30 large-scale projects annually and help unlock up to $50bn in investment each year. Premier Chris Minns said major projects from the private sector were 'getting bogged down in red tape', making it harder to do business in NSW. 'Our state is open for business and this change will encourage more people to bring their best ideas to life in NSW, all backed by our government,' Mr Minns said. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the authority would streamline processes and clear bottlenecks. 'We have listened to what we are being told, loud and clear: everything in NSW is awesome, except for how long it takes to get major projects done,' Mr Mookhey said. 'We are creating a way to address the blockages, speed up the process and ensure NSW is properly open for business.' The Investment Delivery Authority will accept expressions of interest from domestic and international investment projects valued at more than $1bn. It will be supported by an investment taskforce within Investment NSW under the premier's department. Its leadership team will include senior public servants from the premier's department, treasury, planning, housing and infrastructure, and Infrastructure NSW. The authority will make recommendations to the treasurer, the planning minister and the minister for industry and trade. Planning Minister Paul Scully said the reforms were a key step toward lifting productivity. 'The Investment Delivery Authority, supported by the Investment Taskforce, will identify and clear barriers that businesses may face, while advising on reforms that promote investment, competition and productivity in NSW,' Mr Scully said. In tandem with the new authority, the government is investing nearly $80m in a wide-ranging innovation funding package to support startups, scale-ups and emerging technologies under the newly launched Innovation Blueprint. 'NSW is not just open for business, it's serious about being a global leader in innovation, industry, and investment,' Mr Minns said. The largest slice of the funding is $38.5m to support Tech Central, followed by $20m for commercialising emerging technologies, particularly in housing and energy. The remaining funding has been split across several areas, including $6m to help manufacturers adopt innovative technologies and $4m each for housing construction innovation and supporting female and regional tech founders. Industry and Trade Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the investment would help nurture the next generation of tech giants. 'With this nearly $80 million of funding, we will ensure we nurture, grow, and support the next Afterpay, Atlassian, and Canva from the early stages through to the most vulnerable periods of a startup's life cycle,' Mr Chanthivong said. Kate Pounder, former Tech Council of Australia Chair, welcomed the commitment to diversity and regional inclusion. 'This significant investment in innovation will cement NSW as a world leader in the tech sector,' Ms Pounder said. 'Most hearteningly, this money will also go where it is needed most, to female founders, and those from diverse cultures and backgrounds, as well as our budding tech giants living and working in Western Sydney and regional NSW.' Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter described the changes as 'game-changing'. 'With a clear plan to streamline approvals and coordinate government agencies, the new Investment Delivery Authority is exactly what NSW needs to turn ambition into action,' he said.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Liberals, Conservatives pass major projects legislation in House of Commons
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, June 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle Conservative members of Parliament voted with the minority Liberal government to pass its marquee major projects legislation Friday evening, setting it up to become law before Canada Day. The legislation, also known as the one Canadian economy act, would allow the government to green-light a list of projects that have been deemed to be in the national interest, fast-tracking their approvals. The Liberals have called it the core of the government's domestic economic response to U.S. tariffs. 'This is what makes us different from the United States, this is what makes us more independent from the United States, this is what's going to move us forward,' Prime Minister Mark Carney said at a press conference after the vote, adding the legislation needed to pass quickly 'because we are in a crisis.' 'And if you don't think we're in a crisis, go to Sault Ste. Marie, go to Hamilton, go to Windsor.' After the second of two votes in the House of Commons on Friday, Carney crossed the floor to shake hands with Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer and Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. Two votes were held instead of one after the House Speaker ruled that the legislation had two distinct parts without a clear common element. That allowed the Bloc Quebecois and NDP members to vote in favour of the first part of the bill -- which looks to tackle internal trade barriers -- and against the more controversial second part dealing with major projects. The major projects bill grants the government sweeping powers to quickly approve projects that are deemed to be in the national interest. Provincial and territorial premiers have given Carney lists of projects they want to see approved, but no national list of projects has been made public so far. 'We all agree that more fulsome conversations are needed to select the nation-building projects and to determine the conditions that they must fulfil. In other words, the real work begins now,' Carney said. The legislation has drawn criticism from Indigenous leaders and environmental groups who say it gives too much power to the federal cabinet to bypass existing laws. The legislation was introduced on June 6 and was pushed through the House after about eight hours of committee study on Tuesday and Wednesday. The House transport committee did amend the bill to, among other things, remove the Indian Act from a list of laws the government can sidestep when determining whether a project should move forward. First Nations leaders have warned the bill could violate their constitutionally protected rights and may lead to legal challenges. Carney emphasized the need to respect the constitutional rights of Indigenous Peoples in his press conference on Friday. 'The major projects office will have an Indigenous advisory council whose core function will be to honour Section 35 rights in the implementation of this bill,' he said. He promised to hold full-day summits with First Nations, Inuit and Metis rights-holders and leaders in the coming weeks, alongside Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty and Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty. 'Consultation, co-operation, engagement and participation are at the heart of this bill,' he said. The bill is now headed to the Senate, which is scheduled to sit until June 27. By Sarah Ritchie. With files from Kyle Duggan and Alessia Passafiume.
Globe and Mail
20-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
House of Commons passes Liberals' major projects bill
Liberal and Conservative members of Parliament voted to pass the government's major projects legislation this evening. After the second of two votes, Prime Minister Mark Carney crossed the floor to shake hands with Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer and Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. Two votes were held instead of one after the House Speaker ruled that the legislation had two distinct parts without a clear common element. That allowed the Bloc Québécois and NDP members to vote in favour of the first part of the bill — which looks to tackle internal trade barriers — and against the more controversial second part dealing with major projects. The major projects bill grants the government sweeping powers to quickly approve projects that are deemed to be in the national interest. The bill is now headed to the Senate, which is scheduled to sit until June 27.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
House Speaker splits major projects bill for two separate votes
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, June 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle Members of Parliament will hold two separate votes on the government's major projects bill later today after the House Speaker ruled the legislation has two distinct parts. Bill C-5, known as the one Canadian economy act, contains measures to tackle internal trade barriers and also gives the government sweeping new powers to approve major projects. The Liberals pledged during the election campaign to pass a law to break down interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day. They're pushing the legislation through the House of Commons with the support of the Conservatives, and aim to have it passed by the end of the day. The Bloc Québécois has called for the bill to be split to allow MPs more time to study the measures that deal with major projects. New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan asked House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia to hold separate votes on third reading, and Scarpaleggia agreed in a ruling this afternoon that the bill has two distinct parts. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025
