Thoughts on BC Politics and More

This was a missed opportunity for labour to build stronger ties of solidarity with Indigenous peoples and others. On June 20, Bill C-5, the so-called One Canadian Economy Act, passed in the House of Commons, despite warnings that the legislation will erode democratic oversight in the name of economic development.  This “major projects” bill essentially grants the federal government the ability to side-step regulatory consultations and fast-track economic initiatives it deems to be in the national interest.  The legislation amends the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, removing supposed “barriers” to the internal trade of goods and services, streamlining labour mobility and credential recognition, and perhaps most notably, granting sweeping powers to cabinet to pre-approve projects designated to be in “the national interest" ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

Having read “Value(s),” the pre-electoral, philosophical musings of Prime Minister Carney, I was keen to read his first stab at legislating. I will cut to the chase.  His ambiguous style of writing about values is reflected in his ambiguous style of writing about interprovincial trade and labour and large project promotion in Bill C-5, (An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act.)  My prediction is that nothing will be changed by this legislation and that, perhaps, is by design ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

More progressive Liberal MPs expressed cautious concerns about their government’s decision to ram through the internal trade and major projects bill in a matter of days, with some of them saying it could lead to legal issues down the road. Bill C-5 would give the federal government sweeping powers for five years to quickly approve natural resource and infrastructure projects once they are deemed to be in the national interest — sparking criticism from First Nations and environmental group. Those concerns have been heard loud and clear and, in some cases, have resonated with some Liberal MPs ... CLICK HERE for the full story