Liberals won’t split internal trade, major projects bill despite Bloc call
Global News
The Bloc Quebecois has argued the internal trade portion of Bill C-5 could be passed quickly, but called for a separate study of the changes to major project reviews.
The Liberal government is rejecting a call from the Bloc Québécois to split its marquee legislation in two and allow part of it to speed through the House of Commons this summer.
The bill — known as Bill C-5, or the free trade and labour mobility in Canada act —was introduced last Friday.
It has two parts. The first portion addresses internal trade barriers the Liberals have promised to tackle by July 1. The second part proposes to make sweeping changes to speed up approvals of major projects.
The Bloc argued the internal trade portion of the legislation could be passed relatively quickly with broad support from the House of Commons, but called for a separate study of the changes to major project reviews.
“The bill as it is now would be sent to the transport committee, whereas if it were to be split it could be sent to two different committees, the second one being environment,” Bloc deputy leader Christie Normandin said at a press conference on Monday.
Government House leader Steven MacKinnon said Wednesday the Liberals won’t split the legislation, even if that would ensure the government meets its self-imposed deadline to tackle interprovincial trade barriers.
“This is a bill that responds to economic conditions caused by the tariff war, among other things, and mobilizes premiers, mobilizes Canadians from coast to coast to coast behind projects of national significance,” MacKinnon said on his way into a Liberal caucus meeting.
The legislation would give the federal government sweeping new powers to push forward projects that have been deemed to be in the national interest.
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