Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs says she was dismayed with the Senate’s decision regarding Bill-C-48. On Friday, it was announced the bill will be granted a third reading after the rejection of a committee report which could have ended the legislation from moving forward.
“[Bill C-48] is a direct attack on the oilsands and on any future potential pipelines that might end up reaching that deepwater port on the Asian Pacific.”
As the possible implementation of Bill C-69 and Bill C-48 looms closer, local politicians are suggesting the Federal government reconsider their stances on the legislation. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced Monday that he would join with the Premiers of Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories to send a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opposing the potential legislation.
Several amendments have been presented by both Conservative MPs and Senators regarding the bills, officially the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act and the Act to enact the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, to amend the Navigation Protection Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
Regarding Bill C-69, Stubbs says the amendments have to do with many concerns raised since the legislation was first introduced last year. The Shadow Minister for Natural Resources says if the Liberal government refuses even one amendment, the conservatives will put forward another one to restore all 187 amendments.
“We have yet to see a Liberal response but I am very concerned that they will be unable to accept one hundred percent of the amendment package.”
Stubbs adds if a Conservative government is elected in the fall it will repeal bill c-48. Before becoming law, both bills require Royal Assent from Governor General Julie Payette.