Bill C-39 has passed its first vote in the House of Commons and will be referred to a special committee for further study.
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A key piece of government economic legislation, Bill C-39, cleared its first vote in the House of Commons and will now be studied by a special committee.
The 243-page bill would give the government additional powers to fast-track projects it deems to be in the “national interest.” It would also make changes to the Canada Labour Code intended to reduce the number of labour disruptions in federally regulated sectors.
Conservatives voted with the Liberals on the bill. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said his party plans to table amendments at committee, including measures aimed at speeding up the decision timeline for projects to between six months and a year.
Poilievre also said the amendments would add protections for workers’ rights.
NDP Leader Avi Lewis said earlier in the day that the bill should be scrapped, arguing it threatens the right to strike and does not uphold the government’s constitutional duty to consult Indigenous communities and obtain full prior, informed consent for projects in their territory.
The government said it will uphold its treaty obligations, and that the proposed changes would put “guardrails” on the ability of the jobs minister to intervene in a labour dispute.
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