What each bill does, in plain language. Both sides of the debate where there has been one.
Parliament, filtered through what you care about
Take a short values survey and Demos shows you the bills and petitions that touch what you care about.
A free account lets you record where you stand, see how your MP voted, email them about it, and get a summary of what matches you — daily, weekly, monthly, or not at all.
This bill would repeal the law that bans large oil tankers from operating along Canada's northern Pacific coast (mainly the northern B.C. coastline).
What it means for you
If passed, oil tankers would be allowed to carry crude and other petroleum products through waters off northern B.C. that are currently off-limits, potentially enabling new pipeline and export projects.
EconomicGovernanceEnvironmentalReconciliation
The debate · 3 points
Supporters say
A rail project already in place could ship 250,000 barrels of oil a day from Prince Rupert, starting in about two years and without taxpayer subsidy.
Removing the west coast tanker ban would let Canadian oil reach world prices through the Pacific, instead of selling in the U.S. at a discount (cited as $26 a barrel lower).
The tanker ban does not stop tankers from sailing through the waters it is meant to protect, so its environmental rationale is questioned.
This is a wide-ranging omnibus bill touching many different policies important to Canadians. Included among these, it speeds up government approvals for major infrastructure and energy projects, strengthens supply chain laws, updates labour rules, and modernizes trade document processes.
What it means for you
Big construction and energy projects could get approved faster, goods could move more efficiently across Canada, and workers in federally regulated industries could see changes to collective bargaining rights. Read the deep analysis for more details.
Modernizing port governance would add marine expertise to port boards, set clearer performance measures, and require fee transparency. Industry groups say a transport agency should be able to overturn unjustified port fees, which would support trade and competitiveness.
A 'one project, one review' approach would cut approval delays, give investors more certainty, and help major energy, mining and infrastructure projects get built faster, creating jobs.
The bill would strengthen worker protections against wage theft and misclassification, protect workers when contracts change hands, help new unions reach a first agreement, and speed up grievance arbitration. It would also give bargaining parties more time and earlier access to dispute-resolution tools, while keeping the right to strike.
Critics say
Changes to section 107 of the Canada Labour Code would let the minister end legal strikes and lockouts. Critics say this weakens the right to strike and collective bargaining. Some labour groups want clearer limits on intervention and an independent mediator.
Opponents argue the bill weakens environmental protections and favours fossil fuel projects such as pipelines, while clean electricity receives far less public money. Some scientists warn of lasting environmental harm.
Critics say the bill weakens consultation with Indigenous peoples and puts their rights at risk. Some ask why human rights provisions were removed, and warn that broad executive powers come with limited independent oversight.
This bill requires the federal government to create a national strategy to end 'energy poverty' — the inability to afford adequate heating, cooling, and electricity — with targets, reporting to Parliament, and an advisory council.
What it means for you
Low-income Canadians, seniors, renters, and people in northern or remote communities who struggle to pay energy bills could eventually benefit from new federal programs focused on affordable energy and home efficiency upgrades.
A national strategy would create federal accountability for addressing energy poverty.
The federal government can collect and analyze data and set thresholds, so it can direct time and resources where they will have the greatest impact.
Improving home energy efficiency, such as furnaces and boilers, reduces energy use even when that energy comes from fossil fuels. The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is a positive step in this direction.
