Alex Ballingall and Ryan Tumilty at the Toronto Star:
Government officials briefing journalists about the bill, C-39, said its wide-ranging changes are aimed at creating trade corridors and better-functioning ports to boost exports, and to simplify the federal assessment process so new projects like mines, pipelines, ports and transport infrastructure can be reviewed with the goal of a decision within one year.
Among the environmental changes include new rules to allow companies to pay offset fees if their projects harm fish habitats and new ministerial powers to weaken conditions-of-approval if the federal cabinet deems it in the “public interest.” The government also wants to allow construction to begin before a project is approved if the government deems it in the public interest, and the creation of special regions where proposed developments can be streamlined.
The new bill is also meant to improve labour rules to add “guardrails” to the use of controversial powers that allow the cabinet to intervene to stop strikes and lockouts without passing back-to-work legislation through Parliament, officials said.