Fact Check: June 9, 2025 Bill 15 in BC. Bill 5 in Ontario. Now Bill C-5 in Ottawa. "Environmental assessment specialists, nature protection advocates, Indigenous leaders, and other climate and energy analysts are aghast at the scope and potential impacts of the legislation introduce Friday [June 5] by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government that would grant it new powers to quickly push forward major projects the federal cabinet deems to be in the national inter

Fact Check: "June 9, 2025 Bill 15 in BC. Bill 5 in Ontario. Now Bill C-5 in Ottawa."

What We Know

On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney's government introduced Bill C-5, which aims to accelerate the approval process for major infrastructure and energy projects deemed to be in the national interest. This legislation is part of a broader trend, as similar bills have been introduced in British Columbia (Bill 15) and Ontario (Bill 5) to streamline regulatory processes for infrastructure projects (source-1, source-2).

Critics, including environmental and Indigenous rights advocates, have expressed significant concern over the potential impacts of Bill C-5. They argue that it undermines environmental protections and democratic decision-making processes by allowing the federal cabinet to expedite approvals without thorough environmental assessments (source-1, source-4).

The legislation is positioned as a response to pressing geopolitical and economic concerns, aiming to enhance Canada's energy security and national prosperity while also respecting Indigenous rights (source-2). However, critics argue that the expedited process could lead to adverse environmental consequences and violate the rights of Indigenous Peoples, who must be consulted on projects affecting their territories (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Bill C-5 is part of a series of legislative actions alongside Bill 15 in BC and Bill 5 in Ontario is accurate. All three bills aim to streamline project approvals, reflecting a coordinated approach among provincial and federal governments to accelerate infrastructure development (source-2, source-6).

However, the assertion that environmental assessment specialists and Indigenous leaders are "aghast" at the scope and potential impacts of Bill C-5 is supported by numerous statements from advocacy groups and experts. They argue that the bill could significantly weaken environmental protections and democratic processes, potentially leading to increased environmental degradation and conflicts with Indigenous rights (source-1, source-5).

The reliability of the sources used to evaluate this claim varies. Advocacy groups like Climate Action Network Canada and West Coast Environmental Law are credible in their field but may exhibit bias due to their vested interests in environmental and Indigenous rights. On the other hand, legal and regulatory analyses from law firms and news outlets provide a more neutral perspective on the legislative intent and implications of Bill C-5 (source-2, source-4).

Conclusion

The claim that Bill C-5, along with Bills 5 and 15, represents a significant shift in how major projects are approved in Canada is Partially True. While the assertion accurately reflects the legislative context and the concerns raised by various stakeholders, it simplifies the complexities surrounding the implications of these bills. The criticism from environmental and Indigenous rights advocates is valid and highlights the potential risks associated with expedited approvals, yet the legislation also aims to address pressing national interests. Therefore, while the claim captures the essence of the situation, it does not fully encompass the nuances involved.

Sources

1. Bill C-5 jeopardizes democratic process, environmental protections, and Indigenous rights: reaction from Climate Action Network Canada
2. Accelerated Project Approvals Under the Building Canada Act
3. Update On The Proposed Bill 15 – 2025 Infrastructure Projects Act
4. Liberals to cut short study of bill to speed up resource project approvals
5. Stop the Carney government's risky, anti-democratic Bill C-5
6. BC's Push to Smooth the System: How Bill 15 Impacts BC's Regulatory Process
7. Carney shows his hand on infrastructure and trade bill
8. Why the federal government must act cautiously on fast-tracking project approvals