Budget Implementation Bill must be split to protect environment
OTTAWA -- The Budget Implementation Bill (C-9) must be split to remove the amendments that weaken the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, says the Green Party. “A Budget bill should only pertain to the budget,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “It should not be used as a way to force changes to other laws. We have all watched the results of weakened environmental regulation in the Gulf of Mexico and this is not what we want for Canada.”
“Since early April we have called on opposition leaders to stand firm and refuse the Budget bill in its current form until the non-budgetary matters are removed. Constant fear of going to an election must not hold our parliament hostage to the point where our laws and regulations are undermined,” said Ms. May.
In 2009, the Budget Implementation Bill was used to gut the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA). In the crosshairs of the 2010 Budget bill is the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). Despite the fact that CEAA is meant to be undergoing its mandatory five-year Parliamentary review, the Conservative government has included provisions to weaken it in the Budget bill. Proposed changes include giving power to the Minister to decide which aspects of a project should be included (scoped) in an assessment and removal of the requirement for public consultation on projects subject to a Comprehensive Study. The changes would also exempt projects funded through infrastructure money flowing to municipalities or First Nations.
Perhaps even more concerning is the proposal included in the Budget Implementation Bill to move energy projects out of the CEAA mandate and giving jurisdiction to the National Energy Board or the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
“The National Energy Board is not an appropriate decision making body for environmental projects. With the Conservative government hoping to conduct oil and gas development in Arctic waters, it is more important than ever that CEAA remain strong, to protect sensitive ecosystems and to give Canadians a proper voice in these decisions,” said Ms. May.
The Green Party calls for a moratorium on exploration and development, including seismic surveys, in the Beaufort Sea or other Arctic waters pending a full detailed scientific assessment of environmental and socio-economic risks. This moratorium should also be supported by the Arctic Council, working through the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program to do the necessary review.
“You can bet that BP and the American government rue the day that they cut corners on the Deepwater Horizon project. Canadians do not want harmful changes to environmental regulations tagged onto our Budget bills. Canadians want our coastlines to be protected from oil spills. Canadians want our elected representatives to stand up for what is right,” concluded Ms. May.
Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
C: 613.240.8921
media@greenparty.ca
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