Bill C-235 (Historical)

Building a Green Prairie Economy Act

An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies

This bill is from the 44th Parliament, 1st session, which ended in January 2025.

Sponsor

Jim Carr Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill.

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment requires the minister responsible for economic development in the Prairie provinces, in collaboration with the Minister of the Environment, the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Natural Resources, to develop a framework for local cooperation and engagement in the implementation of federal programs across various sectors to build a green economy in the Prairie provinces.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-235s:

C-235 (2025) Respecting Families of Murdered and Brutalized Persons Act

C-235 (2020) Ending the Stigma of Substance Use Act

C-235 (2020) Ending of the Stigma of Substance Use Act

C-235 (2016) An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (fetal alcohol disorder)

Votes

Dec. 7, 2022 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-235, An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies

June 1, 2022 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-235, An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-235, the "Building a Green Economy in the Prairies Act," proposes a framework for enhanced collaboration between federal and provincial governments, Indigenous communities, and the private sector to develop a plan for a green economy in the prairie provinces. It mandates the Minister of Industry to consult with various stakeholders, prepare a report on the strategy's progress, and promote economic sustainability, growth, and employment in the region, with considerations for clean energy, infrastructure, and job creation. The bill aims to foster a transition to a low-carbon economy in the Prairies, recognizing the importance of sectors like energy, agriculture, and transportation, and to ensure sustainable development and economic diversification in the face of climate change.

Liberal

Support for green economy: The bill aims to foster a green economy in the Prairies by mandating the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry to consult with various stakeholders and adapt to new realities in energy production and usage. It emphasizes the need to address the significant impact of climate change and related policies on the prairie provinces, advocating for a shift towards cleaner energy sources and investment in technologies like carbon capture.
Importance of collaboration: The legislation underscores the importance of cooperation among different levels of government, businesses, and other stakeholders to achieve policy objectives. It is intended to focus ministerial minds and mandate collaboration, co-operation and relationship building to facilitate the transition and ensure that it considers local circumstances and involves ongoing dialogue with local governments, businesses, and workers.
Incentivize transition: The Liberal speakers support incentivizing the green transformation in Western Canada while acknowledging that the transition will not happen overnight. The speakers state that the government recognizes both the urgency of climate action and the importance of supporting Canadian energy workers.
Indigenous partnerships: The bill emphasizes the importance of engaging Indigenous nations as integral partners in the success of the region and the country. Meaningful consultations with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities are deemed essential for resource development and ensuring their interests are considered from the outset.

Conservative

Opposes the bill: The Conservatives oppose Bill C-235 due to concerns that it will impose a top-down, federally driven bureaucratic process. They feel that it will add unnecessary red tape, duplicating work already being done by provinces, municipalities, and the private sector, and that it may stifle economic development rather than enhance it.
Agriculture is excluded: The bill lacks focus on agriculture, a critical sector in the prairie economy. Concerns were raised that the Minister of Agriculture is not included in the framework or consultation process, which would be a major oversight.
Ottawa-knows-best approach: The bill risks adding a new layer of red tape and regulation, reinforcing an "Ottawa-knows-best" approach. A one-size-fits-all approach will never work for environmental policy.

NDP

Support, but needs urgency: The NDP supports efforts to better coordinate climate action but wants the government to move more quickly than proposed in the bill. They feel the bill is a step in the right direction, but ultimately bolder, more concrete action is needed to truly meet the urgency and scale of the climate crisis.
Liberals are failing: The NDP believes the Liberal government is failing to take real action on climate change. They criticize the Liberals for saying the right thing but doing the opposite, such as talking about climate leadership while supporting the oil and gas industry.
Call for Green New Deal: The NDP advocates for a Green New Deal with investments in green infrastructure, retrofits, and worker support. They emphasize that climate solutions are job creators and that public funds should be redirected from fossil fuel subsidies to climate solutions.
Need managed transition: The NDP stresses the need for a well-managed and inclusive transition to a zero-carbon economy, prioritizing the needs of impacted communities. They call for ensuring that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people are supported in leading the conversation and that the transition addresses the needs of various communities.

Bloc

Supports the bill: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-235. The bill mandates the government to develop an action plan in collaboration with key stakeholders, to transition the prairie provinces towards a greener economy.
Need for economic diversification: The Bloc emphasizes the need for economic diversification away from reliance on polluting resource extraction, particularly in provinces like Alberta, which are heavily dependent on oil and gas and thus vulnerable to price fluctuations and market changes.
Redirecting financial investments: The Bloc calls for a reorientation of financial investments away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy, green technologies, and sustainable infrastructure, including making 'green RRSPs' more tax efficient to incentivize investment in environmentally friendly sectors.
Transition is an opportunity: Bloc members believe that the green transition is not just about costs, but about economic opportunities. They believe that it can foster the development of cutting-edge technologies and industries while providing investors with dynamic and promising assets, particularly in places like Quebec.

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The House resumed from May 31 consideration of the motion that Bill C-235, An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Building a Green Prairie Economy ActPrivate Members' Business

June 1st, 2022 / 4:15 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, November 25, 2021, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading of Bill C-235 under Private Members' Business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #117

Building a Green Prairie Economy ActPrivate Members' Business

June 1st, 2022 / 4:25 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

Building a Green Prairie Economy ActPrivate Members' Business

June 1st, 2022 / 4:25 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded divisions, Government Orders will be extended by 67 minutes.

It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38 to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Peace River—Westlock, Health; the hon. member for St. Albert—Edmonton, Justice; the hon. member for Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, Health.