Engaged women recognize that Canada is in the thick of a pivotal energy and economic moment. In a time of uncertainty and slow economic growth, mounting pressure from south of the border and a high cost of living, engaged woman are calling for urgent action instead of endless debate.
Bill C-5 was passed last week and the legislation is aimed at building a more resilient Canadian economy by removing federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, while progressing nation-building projects to bolster productivity, energy security and economic competitiveness.
One of the most striking aspects of Bill C–5 was how quickly it moved through Parliament. Having passed in a mere two weeks with the support of the opposition, Bill C-5 will eliminate trade and labour barriers between provinces and expedite infrastructure projects that are deemed in the national interest, something we know from our research that engaged women care about. At its core, it’s an example of non-partisanship and Canadian policymakers working together to make things happen faster to foster a stronger economy and a more independent and resilient Canada.
Now that the Senate has passed the bill, the government will have to list projects it considers in the national interest that should be prioritized. Those projects would then be fast-tracked.
Though the quick passage of Bill C-5 is aligned with engaged women’s priorities and sense of urgency, the work to achieve its mandate is just beginning. While C-5 is being viewed positively there are some aspects stakeholders are questioning.The first being that existing legislations like the Impact Assessment Act, which has made building new projects so difficult, are not being addressed. So this leads to questions about projects that are not on the ‘list’ yet to come and how we provide regulatory certainty for capital investment, which has left Canada in recent years.
Also, fast tracking means the government must balance social, political, health and environmental concerns and work with leaders, provinces, territories and other partners, including Indigenous leaders and rights holders
in a rapid timeline. This raises concerns about the thoroughness of review particularly with Indigenous communities. In response to this, Indigenous leaders have stated publicly their support for the Bill, and many have also acknowledged Bill C-5 does not “do away with impact assessments” and there are “multiple points” where First Nations and other groups can bring forward their concerns.
Finally, while Bill C-5 is promising, it’s important to acknowledge there is currently no proposed pipeline project with a proponent on the ‘list’ of national interest projects to choose. This means no guarantee of a new pipeline, which engaged women support because they connect the economic benefits an energy corridor with a pipeline and increased refining capacity would bring to Canada. Again, the bill does not amend existing legislation, and as noted by the CEO of Enbridge, any proposal for a new pipeline would depend on further details and clarity about how Bill C-5 would support and streamline the regulatory process.
Given the urgency, national scope and rapid pace of change, ongoing clarity and strong leadership are essential for success. And that is exactly what our research shows women are calling for – transparent policy with details that facilitate getting things done and acting upon their priorities.