Discussion · Government Orders
Luc Thériault Bloc Québécois
“I oppose this bill. It gives a single minister too much permanent power over major projects, which weakens Parliament and hurts our democracy.”
“Mr. Speaker, Bill C-5 contained a discretionary provision that gave the minister absolute authority to identify and make decisions about projects of national interest. Bill C-39 renders that discretionary authority permanent, thereby setting a dangerous precedent modelled after the Trump administration’s contempt for officials elected by the people. Someday, when the member is sitting on this side of the House, with the opposition, will she will feel the same enthusiasm at the prospect of having the government use a procedure that gives the executive branch absolute authority over the legislative, the bedrock of parliamentary democracy?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, Bill C-5 contained a discretionary provision that gave the minister absolute authority to identify and make decisions about projects of national interest. Bill C-39 renders that discretionary authority permanent, thereby setting a dangerous precedent modelled after the Trump administration’s contempt for officials elected by the people. Someday, when the member is sitting on this side of the House, with the opposition, will she will feel the same enthusiasm at the prospect of having the government use a procedure that gives the executive branch absolute authority over the legislative, the bedrock of parliamentary democracy?