Politics · Canada · 3 days ago
Canada's major projects bill passes first House vote
Canada’s House of Commons has voted to send Bill C-39 to a special committee for study.
The Liberals and Conservatives backed the move, while the bill itself has not yet passed.
It would expand a system for major infrastructure projects that aims to use one review, completed within a year, to cover other projects across Canada.
The Liberal government says the bill is part of a plan to reduce Canada’s reliance on the United States and attract overseas trading partners.
Conservatives say they will propose changes, including faster decisions and worker protections.
The NDP and Green Party have criticized the bill over concerns about labour rights, Indigenous consultation, the environment and Parliament’s oversight.
The special committee will include Liberal, Conservative and Bloc Québécois MPs, but no NDP members.
The committee is expected to study the bill, but the sources do not say when it will report or what changes will be made.
Bill C-39 passed its first vote in the House of Commons on Thursday, with Liberals and Conservatives supporting its referral to a special committee.
The 243-page bill would expand a one-review, one-year approval approach for major infrastructure projects to other projects across Canada.
The Liberal government says the legislation is part of its plan to reduce Canada’s reliance on the United States and build ties with overseas markets.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said his party would seek amendments, while NDP and Green leaders criticized the bill and its committee process.
- Who
- Liberals and Conservatives voted to send Bill C-39 for committee study; the bill is from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government.
- What
- The bill passed its first vote and was referred to a special committee for study.
- When
- Thursday, October 8, 2026.
- Where
- The House of Commons in Canada.
- Why
- The government says the bill is part of its economic agenda and would streamline reviews of major projects.
Liberal government
NDP and Green critics
Purpose of the bill
Liberal government
The government says the bill is part of its economic agenda and would streamline project reviews.
NDP and Green critics
NDP and Green leaders argue the bill could harm labour, treaty and environmental protections and was not adequately consulted on.
Committee process
Liberal government
The bill was sent to a special committee that includes Liberal, Conservative and Bloc Québécois MPs.
NDP and Green critics
NDP House leader Don Davies called the NDP’s exclusion “fundamentally undemocratic”; Green Leader Elizabeth May said her request to participate was denied.
weak, watered-down, long-delayed
fundamentally undemocratic
What is currently happening, this Prime Minister's Office is more contemptuous of Parliament and less concerned about transparency and accountability than any previous PMO,
must be scrapped
B.C. Liberal MP Patrick Weiler raised concerns in the House about cabinet’s power to fast-track timelines and the duty to consult Indigenous communities.
Bill C-39 passed its first House of Commons vote and was sent to a special committee for study.
- Bill number
- C-39
- Bill length
- 243 pages
- Committee size
- 11 members
- Committee representation
- Liberals, Conservatives and Bloc Québécois; no NDP representation
Sources
Related news
Opinion warns Canada’s tower-focused housing policy risks less livable communities
Cold Lake First Nations challenges Pacific Link pipeline designation in court
Alberta referendum advance polls set to open this week
Six provinces and Yukon urge Ottawa to expand mining tax credit
Supreme Court sets sentencing framework for Indigenous intimate partner violence cases
Alberta appeal court rules federal project review law still unconstitutional
Poilievre to promote Canadian unity in Alberta ahead of Oct. 19 vote
Danielle Smith says Alberta vote can show separatism is losing support
Saskatchewan rallies call for repeal of Bill 137
Albertans can vote in a 10-question referendum starting Tuesday
Alberta to vote on whether to begin process of separating from Canada
