More than 50 prominent scholars and scientists in Canada are calling for significant revisions to a key bill proposed by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration to prevent irreversible environmental damage in the rush to expedite projects.
In an open letter issued on Thursday, 56 members of the Royal Society of Canada are advocating for six important changes to Bill C-39, known as the Building Canada Strong Act, which is currently undergoing review by special committees in both the House of Commons and Senate to facilitate swift approval.
The main objective of the 243-page bill is to streamline the project approval process to offer more certainty to project proponents and investors by setting a one-year review deadline and designating specific regions of national interest where certain project types can receive pre-approval.
While the fellows express support for the government’s efforts to create conditions for investment, job creation, and economic growth, they caution that the current wording of the bill poses a significant threat to the environment, wildlife, and public health.
The scholars highlight that Bill C-39 undermines existing environmental safeguards in Canadian law, which were established to prevent irreversible damage. They are urging the House and Senate to uphold these laws and consider their proposed amendments for the benefit of nature, Canadians, and global conservation efforts.
The Royal Society of Canada, known as the country’s premier national bilingual academy, honors academic, artistic, and scientific achievements, with its members often providing counsel to the government. The academy boasts a membership of over 2,000 distinguished fellows.
Bill C-39 seeks to modify numerous federal laws, including those safeguarding endangered species, fisheries, and water quality, while also seeking to remove a five-year expiration clause that limited the government’s special powers under the original Building Canada Act, Bill C-5, allowing for exemptions of certain projects deemed in the national interest from a wide array of environmental regulations and parliamentary acts.
The fellows are specifically requesting that the sunset clause be retained by parliamentarians. They are also advocating for a clear definition of regions of national interest, acknowledgment that additional time may be necessary for project evaluations and comprehensive reviews before construction commences, among other proposed changes.
According to Sarah Otto, a zoology professor at the University of British Columbia and signatory of the letter, “This is not legislation that builds Canada while safeguarding our environment. It is legislation that builds Canada’s strength at the expense of the environment.”
The letter represents the latest effort by scientists and environmental advocates to raise concerns about Bill C-39 as the governing Liberals utilize their majority to push through the controversial bill without the customary parliamentary debate and review period.
Discussing the potential long-term impacts, John Smol, a biology professor at Queen’s University and another signatory, emphasized the critical need to consider the lasting consequences on ecosystems, cautioning that future generations will bear the costs of any environmental degradation.
Federal ministers defended Bill C-39 during a special legislative committee session in the House of Commons on Monday. Dominic LeBlanc, the minister overseeing Canada-U.S. trade and intergovernmental affairs, emphasized that clearer timelines do not dictate outcomes and underscored the importance of responsible development alongside robust oversight.
All opposition parties have indicated their intent to propose amendments to Bill C-39 to address environmental apprehensions and other contentious elements, such as proposed changes to the Labour Code. Labor unions have voiced concerns that the bill could curtail the right to strike, though the government contends that the legislation will safeguard this right.
