Discussion · Government Orders
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Québécois
“This bill lets the minister remove environmental rules for certain projects. The government claims it is not bypassing environmental laws. I want the member to explain why the bill allows the minister to drop these rules.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague talked about disinformation. I would like to clarify the facts regarding Bill C-39, the building Canada strong act. In division 1, which amends the Impact Assessment Act, clause 53 states: “The Minister may amend a decision statement issued by the Minister under section 65, including to add or remove a condition, to amend any condition or to modify the designated project’s description”. What this means is that if the minister designates a project as being of national interest, he can remove any conditions he wants under the Impact Assessment Act, including conditions related to the environment. My colleague says that the government is not trying to circumvent existing environmental laws. If that is the case, then why is the government creating a loophole that allows conditions under the Impact Assessment Act to be removed? I would like my colleague to explain that to us first, and then we can talk about disinformation.”
Mr. Speaker, my colleague talked about disinformation. I would like to clarify the facts regarding Bill C-39, the building Canada strong act. In division 1, which amends the Impact Assessment Act, clause 53 states: “The Minister may amend a decision statement issued by the Minister under section 65, including to add or remove a condition, to amend any condition or to modify the designated project’s description”. What this means is that if the minister designates a project as being of national interest, he can remove any conditions he wants under the Impact Assessment Act, including conditions related to the environment. My colleague says that the government is not trying to circumvent existing environmental laws. If that is the case, then why is the government creating a loophole that allows conditions under the Impact Assessment Act to be removed? I would like my colleague to explain that to us first, and then we can talk about disinformation.