Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This is a critical amendment, and as I think all members of Parliament are aware, there's been extensive criticism of the claims that government has made, that the various factors that are referenced in the first reading version of this bill are referenced often in press releases, as if they would be requirements under the act, as opposed to what they are, which are factors that might be considered or might not be considered.
This amendment expands those factors to be more meaningful, for instance, including explicitly free, prior and informed consent for the rights of indigenous people to protect constitutionally protected interests and to be consistent with UNDRIP. It expands some of the other considerations that are currently listed as factors that may, or may not, be considered and instead creates an actual enforceable set of provisions that the Governor in Council may only make an order in respect of a project after considering the results of the governmental, indigenous and public consultations required under proposed subsection 5(7), and only if the Governor in Council determines that carrying out the project will.... and then there's a list of factors. You have the amendment before you. This would give the bill a legal framework that is reviewable, that would hold the cabinet to the same standard. As you know, the bill has been widely critiqued as creating unprecedented levels of purely political discretion in deciding what project is a project in the national interest and what isn't.
This is an essential amendment to ensure that Bill C-5 doesn't go down in history as the bill that, for the first time ever, created an unfettered discretion in cabinet to do things that have never been contemplated by any previous government. It's quite critical. It would go a long way towards public acceptance of the bill. Again, the purposes of the bill, I think, have widespread support across Canada, but the notions of expanded political discretion and increased power in the hands of PMO and cabinet has attracted widespread concern.
It's my hope to assist Bill C-5's passage in a way that builds public support as opposed to increased outrage. This bill needs this amendment. I beg you all to consider how much more good we can do here as parliamentarians by amending the bill with PV-5.
Thank you.