The addition of this amendment doesn't change the basic problems with this section of the bill. The Federal Court already has discretion to grant public interest standing to those who meet the test set out in the sections appropriate. That the Federal Court retain this discretion...it allows the court to discourage frivolous litigation, preserves scarce judicial resources, and ensures that the determination of an issue benefits from the contending points of view of those most directly affected by this issue.
As the Chamber of Commerce observed, this provision could increase litigation on environmental matters, which in turn could lead to a situation where government priorities are determined by the success of individual litigants as opposed to the broader public interest.
If we look at the last section, we are now providing incentives to people to take action against the government. And we say “action”, but as my colleague has said, it actually means “lawsuits”. The Chamber of Commerce is very concerned that it's going to lead to a cascade of lawsuits from many people from across the country on individual projects that have no direct effect upon them.
So I'm going to be voting against this section in the bill.