Approving Trans Mountain a start; now kill Bills C-69 and C-48

Ken Kobly

Approving the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion was a good decision for Canada, but only one piece of a critically important puzzle for balanced, responsible and sustainable economic development in our nation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s current approach on Bills C-69 and C-48, however, will irreparably scatter the rest of the puzzle pieces beyond reach.

That’s why business leaders like myself from regions across Canada are expressing our complete support of the first ministers — who represent 82 per cent of Canadians and 83 per cent of the national GDP — who have asked Trudeau to please step back from his approach on Bills C-69 and C-48.

We, like the seven first ministers and many First Nation leaders, are asking him to accept the full set of amendments to Bill C-69 proposed by the Senate of Canada, and the recommendation of the Senate committee’s report to pull back Bill C-48 because of its discriminatory nature against one industry and one region and many communities who stand to benefit from new major projects.

Proceeding will hurt our opportunities for shared prosperity in the long term, with implications going far beyond any one industry or community. Rule of law and reason in Canada is being called into question and, in turn, the stability and binding integrity of Confederation’s founding principles.

We would also remind Prime Minister Trudeau that the chamber of commerce network recommended what the first ministers are now asking before five of the seven signatory premiers were elected to office. Smart regulation that works for all Canadians is the first pillar of our network’s Vote Prosperity campaign to inform all federal election candidates about the priorities for a more competitive Canada.

TMX’s approval establishes a minimum vestige of confidence that national interest is a relevant consideration for federal decisions. It will help ease constraints on transporting western oil which has forced Alberta to curtail production and contributed to thousands of layoffs. It will also help raise living standards of First Nation communities along the pipeline route.

But what about additional projects which would support Canadians’ shared prosperity? Proceeding with Bills C-69 and C-48 effectively scuttles similar opportunities.

full story at https://nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-approving-trans-mountain-a-start-now-kill-bills-c-69-and-c-48/wcm/e9db8531-5d45-4437-8afd-26947547873e