Parliament Pushes Major Projects Bill Closer to Law
In a rare moment of political alignment, Liberal and Conservative MPs joined forces in the House of Commons to pass a pivotal economy bill aimed at accelerating the approval of major national infrastructure projects. Known as Bill C-5, or the One Canadian Economy Act, the legislation promises to streamline regulatory barriers and help Canada respond quickly to mounting economic pressures, including those stemming from U.S. trade actions.
The bill cleared its final hurdle in the House on Friday evening, just in time to be considered by the Senate before Canada Day. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has championed the bill as the backbone of Canada’s domestic economic strategy, emphasized its urgency:
“We are in a crisis. And this bill moves Canada forward—independent and strong.”
What Bill C-5 Actually Does
At its core, Bill C-5 gives the federal government the authority to fast-track approvals for certain infrastructure projects deemed to be in the national interest. These could include anything from energy pipelines to clean tech and transportation corridors.
The legislation, introduced on June 6, passed swiftly following just eight hours of committee review. Despite its fast track, it generated considerable debate, leading the House Speaker to split the bill into two separate votes due to its dual focus:
- Eliminating internal trade barriers
- Accelerating major infrastructure projects
This division allowed Bloc Québécois and NDP MPs to support the first part while opposing the second, citing concerns about environmental oversight and Indigenous rights.
Provinces Submit Wish Lists — But No Final Project List Yet
While Ottawa has received project lists from all provinces and territories, a finalized national list hasn’t been made public. Carney admitted that work remains:
“We all agree that more conversations are needed. The real work begins now.”
The conversation has already become heated. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is pushing hard for a pipeline through British Columbia, while B.C. Premier David Eby has pushed back, noting the lack of a formal proposal or funding.
“B.C. is the economic engine of the new Canada,” Eby said. “Ottawa must treat it fairly when it comes to infrastructure investment.”
Indigenous and Environmental Concerns Mount
Despite strong economic backing, the bill has drawn criticism from First Nations leaders and environmental organizations, who argue that it grants too much power to the federal cabinet.
One point of contention: the original draft allowed the government to bypass several existing laws—including the Indian Act—when deciding on project approvals. After strong pushback, the House transport committee amended the bill to remove the Indian Act from that list.
Carney responded to growing concerns by promising to establish an Indigenous advisory council within the new major projects office. He also committed to holding full-day consultation summits with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders, alongside ministers Rebecca Alty and Mandy Gull-Masty.
“Consultation, co-operation, engagement and participation are at the heart of this bill,” Carney said.
Business Community Cheers, But Calls for More Reform
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomed the bill’s passage, calling it timely and necessary to address the economic strain created by U.S. tariffs and global uncertainty.
TC Energy CEO Francois Poirier went a step further, calling it “a bipartisan step forward” while urging deeper reform of Canada’s broader regulatory framework to truly unlock the nation’s infrastructure potential.
Conservatives Offer Cautious Support
After Friday’s vote, Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer explained why his party backed the bill:
“If there’s even a glimmer of hope that something good might come from this, we’re not going to stand in the way.”
With the House of Commons now adjourned until September, all eyes turn to the Senate, which is scheduled to sit until June 27 and could finalize the bill before the summer break.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for the latest on infrastructure, economy, and Canada’s political developments.
