The Canadian Parliament has passed a landmark bill that gives the Mark Carney government new powers to quickly train large-scale national programs.
The Senate passed the Canadian Economic Act on Thursday, allowing the Cabinet to simplify the approval process and bypass certain provisions of federal law to boost the economy.
Supporters believe the legislation is a key step in reducing Canada’s dependence on the United States amid trade tensions caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
However, it has been criticized by indigenous groups and environmental activists who say speeding up the project could kill the opposition’s voice.
legislation Not sure what to buildbut the Prime Minister has previously said it could be used to build energy corridors such as pipelines and power grids and expand mines and ports.
Carney said last week that the bill would “removal of trade barriers, accelerate national construction projects and release economic growth, and Indigenous partnerships are the center of this growth.”
The government said the bill would reduce barriers to internal trade and labor mobility. It will also give the government the power to approve “projects in the national interest”.
This shocked the native leaders, who were worried that they would not be fully consulted until such projects were approved.
The bill passed the law was a major victory for Carney and insisted on an election commitment to remove inter-provincial barriers by July 1, before Canada Day.
Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and its automotive industries. Carney publicizes strengthening the country’s economy to deal with the U.S. tariff threat, with most of the trade Canada cooperates with.
Paul Prosper, a Nova Scotia senator who belongs to the indigenous group of Mi’kmaq, failed to successfully insert an amendment that would require approval of indigenous groups before the project continues.
He criticized the speed at which legislation was passed, saying “investment for a few months” could be consulted with rights holders.
He said he supports development, but the law can make government and industry leaders ignore indigenous rights.
“Our children grew up in dirty places, had no access to clean drinking water, no job opportunities to make money, and no support for our patients. However, we do not want success and progress with the support of Indigenous peoples,” he said in the Senate.
However, Senator Hassan Yussuff, a supporter of the bill, said it was a response to the “emergency and direct crisis” in the comments of the CBC report.
The legislation states that the government will consult with indigenous peoples before the fast tracking of the project.
