Prime Minister Mark Carney faces increasing pressure over his government’s Bill C-5, labelled "nation building" legislation, as warnings emerge it must pass the House of Commons by midnight on June 20, reports Blacklock’s Reporter. Opposition is growing, uniting environmental groups with both Conservative and Liberal MPs who question the bill's broad scope.Liberal MP Patrick Weiler urged careful study. Weiler told the Commons the bill grants cabinet "extraordinary powers." Weiler warned the wording allows "unnamed factors to drive decision-making," creating significant danger.Bill C-5 An Act to Enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act aims to let cabinet speed approval for industrial projects deemed "in the national interest." .Section 5.6 allows cabinet to "consider any factor." Weiler pointed out this could let a minister bypass existing laws based solely on advice, demanding more transparency."The powers this legislation proposes are due to be valid for five full years," Weiler stated. While acknowledging the current crisis due to the US tariffs, he cautioned the law would outlast it and the next election. "We need to consider how this legislation could be used in bad faith by a future government," said Weiler.The government moved to limit debate. .Government House Leader set a deadline of 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday for all amendment votes, aiming to pass the bill this week.The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) called the forced passage "really urgent" and risky in a bulletin. CELA warned Bill C-5 could "fast-track environmentally risky mega projects across the country while undermining federal laws." CELA pointed out that widespread calls from civil society, indigenous communities, and the public for Parliament to reconsider, stating members are "fundamentally opposed to the Bill in its current form."Conservative MP Kyle Seeback raised concerns about corruption. Seeback focused on the power for a minister to pick project proponents. ."How can we ever think this is going to go well?" Seeback asked the Commons. "The corruption and graft that is going to go on with a government that has been awash in nothing but corruption and graft for the last 10 years? This will be corruption unlike we have ever seen.”Prime Minister Carney introduced the bill on June 6. Carney said, “We will identify projects of national interest, those that strengthen Canada’s self-reliance, resilience, and security.”When asked why decision making rests politically with the minister and Prime Minister, Carney confirmed that authority.
