Liberals Propose One-Year Project Approvals, Labor Reforms
The Liberals have unveiled their plan to fulfill Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pledge to approve or reject new project applications within one year. The Building Canada Strong Act, introduced in Parliament, aims to streamline federal reviews and prevent strikes in key sectors.
The 243-page Bill C-39 outlines a ‘one project, one review, one year’ approach for projects requiring federal approvals, with simultaneous reviews by multiple federal departments once a complete application is filed. However, the bill lacks penalties for regulators missing the deadline.
Streamlining project approvals
Currently, complex projects reviewed by the Impact Assessment Agency take an average of 14 months, with additional time added by other agencies. The new bill aims to reduce delays by coordinating consultations with Indigenous Peoples, ensuring a single regulator leads discussions to avoid “consultation fatigue.”
Carney emphasized the importance of swift decisions, stating, “If we’re going to say no, a quick no is necessary.” The bill aims to speed up reviews of projects that require federal approvals.
Avoiding strikes and lockouts
The bill includes changes to the Canada Labour Code to try to avert work stoppages in federally regulated sectors, particularly in ports and railways. It changes how collective bargaining works under the Canada Labour Code to try to avert work stoppages.
Recent strikes and lockout threats, fueled by COVID-19 fallout like inflation and automation, prompted business groups to call for federal intervention.
It entrenches an interpretation of the code that the Liberals have used to end strikes and lockouts with an order from the labour minister, requiring the appointment of a special mediator to file a public report on negotiations. This ensures transparency in the minister’s decision to impose binding arbitration.
Strengthening labor relations
Workplaces with difficult histories will also get more shepherding toward new agreements. After a strike, lockout, or arbitration, management and unions must participate in relationship-building sessions before the next bargaining round.
For contracts imposed by arbitration or legislation lasting five years or more, negotiations for the next agreement must begin at least six months before expiration, with federal labor experts involved from the start.
The government also plans to hire 100 new health and safety inspectors and 26 officers for the Canada Industrial Relations Board to address backlogs and resolve grievances faster.
Designating trade corridors
The bill grants the federal transport minister authority to designate national trade corridors such as routes to the Port of Vancouver. The bill would make port authorities more commercial, giving them freedom to do things like starting joint ventures with private companies—one potential means of attracting foreign investment.
Enhancing Port Authority Operations
The bill aims to make port authorities more commercially oriented. It allows them to enter joint ventures with private companies, a move intended to attract foreign investment.
