Monster Budget Bill: Olivia Pushes for Committee Study

Second Omnibus Budget Undermines Protection of Marine Environment

October 23, 2012

OTTAWA – New Democrat Transport critic Olivia Chow today called on the Transport Committee to study implications arising from the second omnibus budget bill.

“Bill C-45 has massive implications in terms of the environment and also marine transportation in Canada,” said Chow.  “The Conservatives are stripping the federal government of oversight role it has had for 130 years when it comes to protecting rivers and lakes. Why? So they can build pipelines with even less reviews.”

The motion calls for the committee to conduct a study of all transport and infrastructure-related aspects of C-45, especially the changes proposed to the Navigable Waters Protection Act and its ramifications for pipeline crossing reviews and the integrity of Canada’s streams and lakes. The motion will be debated on Thursday.

“By pushing these changes through an omnibus bill, the Conservatives are preventing Parliament from doing its job,” concluded Chow. “Our job as MPs is to thoroughly study all the different parts of this bill and ensure that it is in the best interest of Canadians and the environment.”

For more information, please contact:

Jesse Brady, Press Secretary, 613-720-6400 or jesse.brady@parl.gc.ca

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