OTTAWA/VANCOUVER – Late yesterday evening Senators voted to pass Bill C-69, which contains important changes to Canada’s laws pertaining to impact assessment, energy regulation, and protection of navigable waters.
West Coast Environmental Law Association says the passing of the bill will bring substantial improvements to environmental reviews and energy regulation in Canada – following three years of public consultation and thousands of submissions from experts, scientists, Indigenous groups and community members.
Anna Johnston, Staff Lawyer, said:
“We are very pleased that Bill C-69 has finally crossed the finish line. Canadians voted for a stronger, more democratic process that gives the public a voice in decisions that affect land, air and water, and they’ll get that with the passing of this bill.”
“The new Impact Assessment Act will help rebuild public trust in environmental reviews, and help ensure that projects don’t undermine Canada’s ability to meet its climate commitments – but the law is only strong if it applies to a full range of industrial projects. We’ll be watching closely in the coming months to ensure that the federal government enacts strong regulations that don’t give polluting projects a free ride.”
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For more information, contact:
Anna Johnston | Staff Lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law Association
604-340-2304