Discussion · Government Orders
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Québécois
“This bill gives individual ministers powers that used to belong to the whole cabinet. That means fewer people make big decisions, like which projects get pre-approved in certain regions. I worry giving so much power to one person could lead to abuse. I want to know if my colleague shares this concern.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her contribution to the debate, and I want to draw her attention to an issue that goes beyond Bill C-39: the centralization of power. In several sections of the bill, authority that previously rested with cabinet, for instance, will be delegated to a minister. This will result in fewer and fewer people being involved in decision-making. When it comes to the regional assessments that will lead to the creation of regions of national interest, this is exactly what will happen. As a result, it will be the minister who sets the terms of reference to determine which types of development projects will be pre-approved in a region. Is my colleague not concerned, as I am, that all this centralization of power could open the door to abuses?”
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her contribution to the debate, and I want to draw her attention to an issue that goes beyond Bill C-39: the centralization of power. In several sections of the bill, authority that previously rested with cabinet, for instance, will be delegated to a minister. This will result in fewer and fewer people being involved in decision-making. When it comes to the regional assessments that will lead to the creation of regions of national interest, this is exactly what will happen. As a result, it will be the minister who sets the terms of reference to determine which types of development projects will be pre-approved in a region. Is my colleague not concerned, as I am, that all this centralization of power could open the door to abuses?