Canada's parliament has passed a landmark bill giving Prime Minister Mark Carney's government new powers to fast-track major national projects. The One Canadian Economy Act was passed by the Senate on Thursday, and allows the cabinet to streamline approvals processes and bypass certain provisions of federal laws for projects that could boost the economy. Supporters have argued the legislation is a critical step in reducing Canada's dependence on the United States, amid trade tensions sparked by President Donald Trump's tariffs. But it has been criticised by Indigenous groups and environmental activists who say expediting the projects could stifle opposition voices. The legislationdoes not determine what will be built, but the prime minister has previously signalled that it could be used to construct energy corridors, such as pipelines and electricity grids, and expand mines and ports. The act will "remove trade barriers, expedite nation-building projects, and unleash economic growth, with Indigenous partnership at the centre of this growth," Carney said last week. The government said the act will reduce barriers for internal trade and labour mobility. It will also give the government sweeping powers to approve projects "that are in the national interest". That has alarmed Indigenous leaders, who fear they will not be consulted adequately before such projects are approved. The passage of the bill into law is a significant victory for Carney, and upholds an election promise to remove interprovincial barriers by Canada Day on 1 July. Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium and its auto sector. Carney had campaigned heavily on bolstering the country's economy to counter tariff threats from the US, with whom Canada does the bulk of its trade. Paul Prosper, a Nova Scotia senator who belongs to the Mi'kmaq Indigenous group, unsuccessfully attempted to insert an amendment that would require consent from Indigenous groups before a project could go ahead. He criticised the speed with which the legislation passed, saying that rights holders could have been consulted by "investing a few more months". He said he supports development, but the law could allow the government and industry leaders to ignore Indigenous rights. "No one wants to watch our children grow up in squalor, with no access to clean drinking water, no opportunity for good-paying jobs and no support for our sick and dying. However, we do not want success and progress to come on the backs of Indigenous Peoples," he said in the Senate, as quoted by CBC. However a supporter of the bill, Senator Hassan Yussuff, said it was a response to an "urgent and immediate crisis", in comments reported by CBC. The legislation states that the government will consult with Indigenous peoples before fast-tracking a project.
Canada passes law fast-tracking 'nation building' projects to counter Trump
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"Canada Enacts One Canadian Economy Act to Accelerate Major Infrastructure Projects"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Canada's parliament has enacted a significant piece of legislation known as the One Canadian Economy Act, which empowers Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to expedite major national projects. This bill, passed by the Senate, enables the cabinet to streamline the approval processes for projects deemed beneficial to the economy, allowing them to bypass certain federal laws. Proponents of the act argue that it is a necessary measure to diminish Canada's economic reliance on the United States, especially in light of the trade tensions exacerbated by President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automotive sectors. The act is intended to facilitate the construction of vital infrastructure, including energy corridors, pipelines, electricity grids, and the expansion of mines and ports. Carney emphasized that the legislation aims to enhance economic growth while prioritizing Indigenous partnerships in this development process. Additionally, the government promotes the act as a means to eliminate barriers to internal trade and improve labor mobility within Canada.
Despite the push for economic advancement, the One Canadian Economy Act has faced substantial criticism from Indigenous groups and environmental activists. Detractors express concerns that the expedited approval process may silence opposition voices and overlook Indigenous rights. Indigenous leaders worry about inadequate consultation before projects are green-lit, particularly in light of the sweeping powers granted to the government. Paul Prosper, a senator from Nova Scotia representing the Mi'kmaq Indigenous group, highlighted the rushed nature of the legislation and attempted to introduce an amendment that would mandate Indigenous consent prior to project approvals. He asserted the importance of balancing development with the rights of Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing that progress should not come at their expense. Supporters of the act, however, argue that it is a necessary response to urgent economic challenges and that the government will still engage with Indigenous communities before moving forward with fast-tracked projects. The passage of this bill marks a significant political achievement for Prime Minister Carney, aligning with his electoral promise to reduce interprovincial barriers by July 1st.
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