One Canadian Economy Act:
An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act
Environment North believes this Act has the potential to threaten human health, Indigenous rights and the environment.
Prior to the passing of Bill C-5 The One Canadian Economy Act Environment North wrote the following letter to Prime Minister Carney.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister:
Environment North is a non-governmental and charitable environmental organization based out of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Our goal is to promote sustainable communities and the conservation of natural resources through public education, research, and community advocacy. Established in 1972, Environment North has long been committed to standing up for the protection of our environment. We therefore write to strongly oppose the quick passing of Bill C-5, as it poses a threat to laws meant to protect human health, Indigenous rights, and the environment.
The Building Act, within Bill C-5, refers to environmental laws which were enacted to safeguard our country from environmental and public harm. Designating large-scale industrial projects as national interest projects will bypass the essential processes of assessing and reviewing environmental and safety considerations under these laws. Undermining foundational environmental laws through this bill takes a step back for Canada, not forwards.
Bill C-5, and the speed at which it is being passed, goes against protected Indigenous rights of meaningful consultation and consent. Approving projects faster and without thorough Indigenous consultation fundamentally evades the government’s constitutional duties towards Indigenous peoples.
We understand the need to deliver on campaign promises and move our country forward under time pressure, and we support the development of green jobs and sustainable infrastructure. However, environmental protection laws are not a barrier to economic growth. Supporting large-scale projects that are properly vetted through environmental laws will help us to build a stronger foundation for sustainable growth in Canada, while sending a global message of our environmental responsibility. A thorough assessment process should not be irresponsibly fast tracked under Bill C-5 in order to quickly achieve economic goals.
Fast-tracking projects by overriding environmental protections, including review and assessment requirements, does not align with fostering sustained growth in Canada. Environmental sustainability needs to occur alongside economic growth. Environmental regulation can enhance industrial innovation. We therefore strongly urge you to pause or withdraw Bill C-5 until meaningful consultation with the public and Indigenous communities is conducted.
Sources:
- https://cela.ca/blog-the-public-interest-need-to-reconsider-or-amend-bill-c-5-building-canada-act/
- https://www.parl.ca/documentviewer/en/45-1/bill/C-5/first-reading
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/elizabeth-may-carney-push-bill-c-5-commons-1.7562476
- https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/chiefs-of-ontario-issue-urgent-warning-on-bill-c-5-the-one-canadian-economy-act-and-will-rally-on-parliament-hill/
- https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/first-nations-call-on-feds-to-reject-bill-c-5/
- https://globalnews.ca/news/11245790/indigenous-leaders-senate-major-projects-bill-c5/
Sincerely,
Allison Farrish
Board Member, Environment North
Graham Saunders
President, Environment North
cc:
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., M.P., President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
The Honourable Markus Powlowski, P.C., M.P.
The Senate of Canada
The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities