Discussion · Government Orders
Christine Normandin Bloc Québécois
“This bill gives too much decision-making power to just a few people, like a single minister, instead of relying on experts and scientists. It also shuts out parliamentarians on issues like workers' rights. I want to know if my colleague agrees that this hurts our democracy.”
“Mr. Speaker, one of the changes in Bill C-39 is that decision-making power is being centralized in the hands of far fewer people than it was previously. For example, in some cases, a single minister may be responsible for approving a project. In other cases, it is the Governor in Council that decides. However, in the majority of cases, the expertise of several agencies is being completely sidelined. I would like to know whether my colleague sees this as a form of erosion of democracy. Take, for example, the issue of workers’ rights and the fact that parliamentarians will be excluded from the process of applying section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. Furthermore, on environmental matters, scientists and reason are sidelined in order to centralize power in the hands of a few decision makers, who could, in some cases, be tempted to use it for personal gain.”
Mr. Speaker, one of the changes in Bill C-39 is that decision-making power is being centralized in the hands of far fewer people than it was previously. For example, in some cases, a single minister may be responsible for approving a project. In other cases, it is the Governor in Council that decides. However, in the majority of cases, the expertise of several agencies is being completely sidelined. I would like to know whether my colleague sees this as a form of erosion of democracy. Take, for example, the issue of workers’ rights and the fact that parliamentarians will be excluded from the process of applying section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. Furthermore, on environmental matters, scientists and reason are sidelined in order to centralize power in the hands of a few decision makers, who could, in some cases, be tempted to use it for personal gain.