MPs, senators hold hearings on major projects bill
Special committees in the House of Commons and the Senate heard expert testimony on Monday on Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act.
The bill would give cabinet ministers sweeping new powers to speed approvals for major projects. It also includes major changes to the Canada Labour Code intended to avoid labour disruptions in federally regulated sectors. The Globe and Mail
Under the bill, federal reviews and decisions on projects would face a one-year deadline. Reuters Reviews and permit processes would run at the same time, rather than one after the other.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has described the bill as one of the most consequential pieces of government legislation in years. The House approved the bill at second reading on Oct. 8 in a 296-26 vote, with Liberal and Conservative MPs voting in favour. The bill is a key part of the government's economic agenda.
The Commons committee has set Nov. 16 to finish hearings and move to clause-by-clause review, with amendments due several days earlier. The Senate committee is conducting a prestudy, examining the bill before the Senate has formally received it from the House. Only the Liberals, Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have standing on the House committee.
The timetable drew criticism at the Senate hearing. University of Calgary professor emerita Arlene Kwasniak told senators the review timeframe is unrealistic and unfeasible. She recommended longer timeframes or rejecting the bill and starting over.
West Coast Environmental Law staff lawyer Anna Johnston told the Senate committee the bill is fundamentally flawed and too grave to pass, according to hearing coverage. Labour unions oppose the collective-bargaining changes in the bill, while environmental organizations and some First Nations leaders have criticized the fast-tracking approach.
The government has said 15 projects announced to date represent more than $125 billion in capital investment and are expected to support more than 60,000 jobs. Budget 2026 update Federal officials earlier published a report titled 'What We Heard: Proposals for Getting Major Projects Built' summarizing views shared during engagement on proposed legislative, regulatory and policy changes.
