Sunday June 22, 2025 | NATIONAL NEWS [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC] – Posted at 9:24 am PT [Updated 10:26 am PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Just in time to release members of parliament for a summer break, the Liberal government steered the new Bill C-5, One Canadian Economy Act. through parliament on Friday afternoon.
“Canada’s new government has a mandate to build big, build bold, and build now,” as stated the Prime Minister’s office in a statement on June 20. C-5 is a bill that fast-tracks nation-building projects.
“As Canadians, we can give ourselves more than any foreign nation can ever take away,” Carney has stated several times in recent weeks.
During the election campaign in April, Carney had promised the ‘one Canadian economy’ strategy to have success by July 1 Canada Day.
The Liberal minority government achieved passage of Bill C-5 with the support of the Conservatives but the NDP and Bloc Québécois withheld their full support. The Conservatives supported the bill as a whole, while the NDP and Bloc Québécois backed a part of the bill that removes internal trade barriers.
Three key points:
The legislation is intended to build one strong Canadian economy by:
- Removing federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, helping goods, services, workers, and businesses move freely across provinces and territories.
- Expediting nation-building projects that will connect and transform our country and unleash economic growth while ensuring environmental protections and Indigenous rights are upheld.
- Working with Indigenous Peoples through consultation and engagement to build shared prosperity.
Taken together, these measures are intended to create and connect Canadians to good-paying careers and more prosperity, as stated by Carney’s office.
Details shared with premiers:
A virtual meeting with Canada’s premiers was held on Friday morning June 20 to brief them on G7 outcomes and Bill C-5.
Here in BC, Premier David Eby has been saying for months that British Columbia can be the “economic engine of Canada”. He welcomed Carney to meet with him at the BC Legislative Buildings during the federal election campaign.
Conservative comment:
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer said on Friday that the C-5 legislation only allows the government to get around barriers that it had imposed upon itself.
“We’ll see what happens now. We want to see whether or not Mark Carney and the rest of the Liberal government — who have spent years fighting against the energy sector — if they can actually get results,” he told media outside the House of Commons.
Indigenous component:
“Indigenous partnership is a critical component of this legislation, and fulsome consultation will be pivotal to the success of future projects,” the PMO statement said.
“The Government of Canada is committed to respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the rights set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. To this end, Prime Minister Carney will be meeting with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis over the coming weeks.”
“These projects will build our national economy — and through Indigenous equity and resource management, these projects will be built with Indigenous nations and communities,” he told media outside the House of Commons chamber on Friday.
To the Senate:
Bill C-5 now moves to the Senate for consideration and brings us one step closer to removing federal barriers to free trade by Canada Day.
The July 1 Canada Day deadline was set by Carney during the 45th election campaign in April 2025.
Top ministers weigh in:
- “The adoption of Bill C-5 by the House of Commons is a crucial step in building one Canadian economy and getting big projects built faster. Thank you to colleagues who supported this legislation – you are helping build a stronger Canada,” as stated by Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy.
- “This legislation is about building a stronger, more united Canada. Let’s build trust, tear down internal trade barriers, and create one single economy – from coast to coast to coast. Together, we’re building a stronger Canada, for everyone,” as stated by Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade.
- “I am pleased to see the One Canadian Economy Act achieve this milestone. This Act means we are no longer asking ‘Why build?’, but instead ‘How do we get it done?’. We are removing barriers, leveraging Canada’s resources and talented workers, centring Indigenous consultation and equity, and continuing to fight climate change – all to get building and to become an energy superpower. In the new economy we are building, Canada will be defined by delivery, not delay,” as stated by Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
- “Indigenous Peoples’ voices are at the table where discussions are happening, and decisions are made. This government understands that Indigenous Peoples have the right to determine their future. As the first Indigenous Minister of Indigenous Services, I understand the importance of relationship moving forward – and I am pleased to see the Prime Minister has determined this as a priority and a critical part of the work ahead,” as stated by Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services.
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