This is an important first victory, but our battle (to sink the tanker ban) hasn’t yet been won

The battle against the federal Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ... and its seemingly unabated attacks on Canada’s resource industry through Bills C-69, C-48, and the fight over the Trans Mountain Pipeline expanse ... has raged on forever – at least it feels like it has. 

And its opponents have been many, and for good reason.

As Senator Richard Neufeld stated, “There are no oil-tanker moratoriums in the entire world. If this bill passes, Canada would have the only one.”

A statement from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) also spoke to the point that Bill C-48, in particular, would do virtually nothing to address the thousands of cruise ships, fueling and other types of vessels that traverse Northern British Columbia waters on an annual basis, for example.

Instead the Bill almost exclusively targeted Canada’s energy sector, blocking the possibility of export of Canadian petroleum products to international markets.

On hearing news about the Senate Transport Committees recommendation not to proceed with Bill C48, CAPP president and CEO Tim McMillan commented that:

“The Government of Canada asked the Senate to review the proposed tanker moratorium and make recommendations in the best interests of this country. The Senate Committee responsible for the Bill has completed its work and delivered the message to government – kill Bill C-48.”

That’s no small matter, because a lack access to markets is costing Canadian producers $11 to $15 and a half BILLION DOLLARS each and every year.

Alberta Senator Doug Black

For months, the Honorable Senator Doug Black was a vocal opponent to what he has called ... this illogical, prejudicial bill that only exists to fulfill a campaign promise ... a bill aimed to punish Alberta’s energy sector and First Nations who seek economic independence.

He along with numerous Senators stood up and joined in a fight to hear from Canadians before any vote in the Senate was held – not just hear from them – hear from them where they lived and worked.

Black stated, “The concept that we would sit here and expect people who are hurting, people who are going to lose their livelihoods, where communities are going to be decimated; and expect them to come here and give testimony is simply wrong."

What I, and likely many Canadians do not understand, about the Senate Transport committee decision, is that it does not transfer the Senate as a whole.

The Senate Transport Committee recommended not to proceed with Bill C-48 the Tanker Ban, the Senate of Canada now has to accept, without reservation, the report of the Committee so that as Senator Black remarked, “... we can once and for all sink the Tanker Ban”.

There is no certainty of that however, because although they have been described as independent, a majority of senators have leanings to the Liberal Party of Justin Trudeau, who nominated them to be in the Senate.  They would likely oppose the recommendation, and then vote in support of Bill C-48

According the Parliament / House of Commons legislative process overview:

When the bill is received, the Senate is then in a position to adopt or amend it within a very short time frame.

The Senate often makes amendments to bills, some of which involve corrections to drafting errors or improvements to administrative aspects. The House normally accepts such amendments.

If the House does not agree with the Senate amendments, it adopts a motion stating the reasons for its disagreement, which it communicates in a message to the Senate.

If the Senate wishes the amendments to stand nonetheless, it sends a message back to the House, which then accepts or rejects the proposed changes.

If an agreement cannot be reached by exchanging messages, the House that has possession of the bill may ask that a conference be held, although this practice has fallen into disuse.

What’s important though is that no bill can become law without the Senates consent, and it can veto any bill as often as it likes, but according the Canadian Encyclopedia, the Senate has not vetoed a bill from the Commons since 1939.

As Senator Black stated on Wednesday, “I congratulate the members of the Committee for arriving at this decision and I urge my Senate colleagues to adopt the report of the Transport Committee without reservations”.

 

Premier Jason Kenney

According to Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, “This is an important first victory, but our battle hasn’t yet been won. That is why I am calling on members of the Senate to vote down Bill C-48.”

Kenney continued, “I’ve also asked Energy Minister Sonya Savage to engage with senators so they fully understand the magnitude of the damaging effects these bills will have on Alberta’s and Canada’s energy industry”.

Round Two is about to begin, and it appears that round will begin with the United Conservative Party Premier Jason Kenney in the ring.

I believe we can safely say this fight is far from over.