Parliamentarians return to Ottawa to debate Bill C-39

Parliamentarians return to Ottawa today to debate the government’s 243-page economic and labour act known as Bill C-39.

The Building Canada Strong Act proposes a one-year timeline for federal project decisions and zones of “national interest” where certain projects are pre-approved.

It was introduced by the federal government on Sept. 21.

The legislation is expected to be pushed for committee study. Instead of going to a regular standing committee, the House of Commons will create a special committee to study the wide-ranging bill.

Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, who chairs the Assembly of First Nations, has warned the government against abusing its majority powers to pass the bill, saying it could affect First Nations’ rights if it limits mandatory consultation.

The bill also changes how the Minister of Jobs and Families can intervene in a labour dispute, prompting pushback from labour groups who say the proposal threatens workers’ rights to strike.

“I support Bill 39, I support our workers,” said Marie-France Lalonde, the MP of Orléans, Ont. “I was a former business owner myself. I completely agree that the rights of workers is very important in this country, but this bill is about giving certainty, allowing projects to go forward and seeking the future of our economy, and this is what’s very important, Mr. Speaker.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the Question Period, where he faced questions from the opposition about diesel prices, reports about Chinese steel being used in the $33 billion LNG Canada Phase 2 project expansion, and the Stelco layoffs.

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