A large majority of Canadians support speeding up the approval of major infrastructure projects, but new polling suggests many remain uneasy about how Bill C-5 achieves that goal.According to a new survey from the Angus Reid Institute, 74% of Canadians support the idea of fast-tracking projects deemed to be in the national interest. But nearly half — 49% — oppose cutting environmental reviews to do so, and 30% are against sidelining provincial authority in the process.The issue of provincial input is especially prominent in Quebec, where 42% say provincial laws and regulations should not be overridden under the new legislation..Passed recently in the House of Commons with rare cross-party support from both the governing Liberals and the opposition Conservatives, Bill C-5 is intended to streamline approvals for major projects like energy infrastructure and transportation corridors. The bill marks a strategic pivot for Prime Minister Mark Carney, with the support of Conservatives breaking from their traditionally combative stance under former prime minister Justin Trudeau.But the bill has drawn criticism from some First Nations leaders, who say it does not go far enough to protect their rights. While it guarantees consultation at various stages of a project’s life, it does not give Indigenous communities veto power. .Still, 59% of Canadians say they support this approach — consultation without veto.Political lines emerge more clearly around environmental concerns. Liberal voters are more likely to oppose skipping ecological assessments (60%), while 59% of Conservative voters support that move in the name of efficiency.The full survey results can be found at www.angusreid.org.
