The Senate passed Bill C-5 without any changes. The House of Commons had approved it days earlier. Many are concerned about how fast this bill became law. It was pushed through with only a day and a half of committee review. This is much shorter than the usual process, which often takes months. There was no time for public feedback. Indigenous communities, in particular, say they were ignored, even though the law may affect their land and rights.
This has raised serious questions. Did Parliament lose its role in the lawmaking process? Critics say Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet skipped key steps like public debate and expert review. They claim Carney is using his power without checks and without concern for normal democratic procedures.
Bill C-5 allows the federal cabinet to use a tool called Orders-in-Council. This means they can approve big national projects by bypassing Parliament. Laws that block these projects can be removed with only cabinet approval. This gives a small group of people the power to override existing laws. It removes the need for Parliament to vote.
This is a big shift. In a healthy democracy, laws come from elected representatives. Bill C-5 puts more power in the hands of the cabinet and weakens Parliament’s control. Experts warn this reduces the voice of voters in key decisions. It may also remove the usual protections that come with legal reviews and open debate.
The bill also gives Carney and his team the power to suspend existing federal laws. These include rules about conflict of interest, public transparency, and even some criminal laws. If a project is marked “in the national interest,” it can move ahead without these rules. That opens the door to potential abuse.
Another part of the bill is called the Free Trade and Labour Mobility Canada Act. But labour mobility rules are set by provinces, not the federal government. That means this section may have little real impact. Professional licenses and trade regulations are also provincial. Each province protects its workers and industries through rules and barriers. These rules may limit movement between provinces, but they are legal and outside federal control.
The bill’s strongest section is the Building Canada Act. It allows fast approval for large infrastructure projects. These include solar farms, wind power systems, roads, and pipelines. Critics say these projects are not about solving a climate crisis. Instead, they may help wealthy investors who are close to Carney. Some worry that foreign investors, including those from China, may gain more control over Canada’s resources under this law.
Others argue that the bill misses a big opportunity. Instead of focusing on large private projects, Canada could boost its economy by helping small business owners. Loan support, community investment programs, and local ownership could create more jobs and keep businesses in Canadian hands. A public investment fund could help prevent foreign takeovers of key industries. But none of these ideas are in Bill C-5.
The Conservative Party voted in favor of the bill, which surprised many. This has caused anger in the West and among core Conservative voters. Some say the party has moved closer to central Canadian elites and away from grassroots concerns. Their support for the bill helped it pass quickly, giving Carney more power and control over the economy.
Now that the bill is law, Canada faces an uncertain future. The cabinet can now fast-track projects without public input. Some call this progress. Others see it as a threat to democratic control. As power shifts from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s office, many wonder who is truly in charge—and whose interests will come first.
