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October 23rd, 2012

Chow calls on Transport Committee to study C-45

Second omnibus budget will radically alter environmental protection marine transport in Canada

New Democrat Transport critic Olivia Chow is calling on the Transport Committee to study implications arising from the Conservatives’ second omnibus budget bill.

“C-45 has massive implications in terms of the environment and also marine transportation in Canada,” said Chow. “The Conservatives are stripping the federal government of oversight role it has had for 130 years when it comes to protecting rivers and lakes. Why? So they can build pipelines with even less reviews.”

The motion calls for the committee to conduct a study of all transport and infrastructure-related aspects of C-45, especially the changes proposed to the Navigable Waters Protection Act and its ramifications for pipeline crossing reviews and the integrity of Canada’s streams and lakes. The motion will be debated on Tuesday.

“By pushing these changes through an omnibus bill, the Conservatives are preventing Parliament from doing its job,” concluded Chow. “Our job as MPs is to thoroughly study all the different parts of this bill and ensure that it is in the best interest of Canadians and the environment.”