Mr. Speaker, we are here today to discuss Bill C-15 at a critical time in Canada's history. When I knock on doors in my community in Newmarket—Aurora, Canadians are very clear about what they want. They want action. They want results. They know that the government has enough power to make big changes. They are watching and waiting in anticipation. They expect progress, but sadly they are still anxiously waiting to see it.
We have already passed Bill C-5, the major projects legislation. Canadians expect to see fundamental changes in how quickly projects are approved and built. They are watching to see whether the government can finally move at the speed required to compete globally.
They are also watching the broader economic picture. They have been told that deficits must rise in order to invest in growth. However, I warn the government that this is extremely risky given that persistent deficits can lead to inflation. They have been told that regulatory reform is necessary to unlock productivity. While I agree, this must never come with the huge price tag of less accountability and transparency.
Now, through Bill C-15, we are creating regulatory sandboxes intended to accelerate innovation, particularly in environmental technology and financial technology. Taken together, these are significant levers of economic transformation, and we must remember the institutional reality in which these decisions are made.
Canada already has one of the most centralized executive systems in the democratic world. The Prime Minister's Office exercises immense influence over cabinet, its chief of staff, the political party of the government, Crown corporations, appointments to the Senate and the judiciary, the senior public service, major projects and regulatory sandboxes for innovation in financial technology and environmental technology. The government has the capacity to make radical and meaningful changes to address productivity, competitiveness and economic growth.
As Conservatives, we do not always agree with the approach being taken, but we stand loyal to Canadians by supporting legislation that is good for our country and opposing that which is bad. The message Canadians have sent clearly and strongly is that something needs to get done. They expect us to work together to move forward in the best possible way.
I believe Canadians can take real pride in what has happened with Bill C-15. Members of the opposition, civil liberties organizations, environmental groups, journalists and engaged Canadians across the country raised serious concerns about a provision that would have granted extraordinary authority to individual cabinet ministers, what I describe as the powers of a king. As originally drafted, the provision would have allowed individual cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister to exempt hand-picked individuals or entities from more than 150 years of Canadian federal law, quietly and behind closed doors. This was an immense concentration of power in the hands of individual cabinet ministers.
When this came to light, the government said the provision was introduced in good faith, an accidental power grab of immense proportions, but what is clear is that the provision was not drafted with the safeguards that Canadians expect so concerns were raised. Several cabinet ministers struggled to justify it. Heated debate followed. Public pressure escalated. Ultimately, meaningful changes were negotiated and secured by the Conservatives.
Canadians can look at this moment with pride. Political parties rose above their differences. A fundamental issue was recognized, and while I would have preferred to remove these provisions, concerns were addressed. As a result, I have received personal notes from supporters from all political parties saying that they appreciate the amendments.
This is also a powerful reminder of something essential in a parliamentary democracy: the importance of a strong opposition, an opposition that asks questions, examines power carefully and ensures democratic safeguards remain in place. While it is disappointing to hear my Liberal colleagues describe this negotiation as “obstruction”, this is how a true democratic system is to work.
I will now remind colleagues and Canadians what the core issue was and what has changed.
The amendments were on what I describe as the “powers of a king” provision. As originally written, the provision granted individual cabinet ministers the extraordinary power to exempt hand-picked individuals or entities from almost any federal law, with the sole exception of the Criminal Code. This is an immense concentration of power. The passed amendments seek to strike a balance between innovation and democratic safeguards. It would preserve the ability to create sandboxes that support innovation, particularly in the clean tech and financial technology sectors, while ensuring that such flexibility operates within clear democratic limits.
Specifically, the amendments introduced seven key protections. First is a new, mandatory, 30-day public consultation prior to an exemption being granted. Second is equal rules that apply to all participants within a sector, not only hand-picked companies. Third is dual approval by both a cabinet minister and the President of the Treasury Board. Fourth is mandatory publication of orders within 30 days. Fifth is a full report to Parliament within 90 days, explaining the rationale and assessing whether permanent legislative change is warranted so that we can continue to foster innovation. Sixth is a requirement that ministers appear before committee when requested to explain the sandbox. Seventh is clear limits on what can never be exempted, including foundational statutes such as the Access to Information Act, Auditor General Act, Canada Elections Act, Conflict of Interest Act, Financial Administration Act, Privacy Act, Investment Canada Act and other core accountability, safety and national interest laws.
While I would have preferred to remove this provision altogether and have it studied fully to carefully define the limits of any regulatory sandbox and the procedures governing it, I believe the amended language represents a balanced and responsible path forward. It meets the urgency of the moment while preserving the accountability, transparency and democratic standards Canadians expect.
Canadians expect us to move forward, and they expect us to work constructively at a moment when economic pressures and global competition demand focus and resolve. I look at this moment not as a moment of division, but as a moment of responsibility. I want to reassure Canadians that, every step of the way, Conservatives will continue on a disciplined path to hold the government accountable and negotiate changes that are good for Canadians.
I thank every single Canadian who signed my petition and who wrote articles, letters, emails and messages. Their advocacy has won today.