Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon reaches Parliament Hill for a cabinet meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The Canadian Press
The federal government has made it clear it won’t separate Bill C-5 into two parts. House Leader Steven MacKinnon confirmed that the Liberals plan to keep the bill together as one piece of legislation.
Bill C-5 focuses on two major goals. One part looks to remove trade barriers between provinces. The second part aims to speed up the approval process for large national projects, including energy and infrastructure developments.
Bloc Calls for a Split
The Bloc Québécois asked the government to split the bill. They want to pass the internal trade section quickly to meet the July 1 promise made by the Liberals. At the same time, they want more time to study the second part, which could affect the environment.
Bloc members believe splitting the bill would allow smoother progress. It would also let lawmakers examine the part about major projects more closely.
Minority Government Needs Support
Since the Liberals don’t hold a majority, they need help from other parties to pass Bill C-5. They must gain the support of at least four members from another party.
Conservatives Support Projects, Want Changes
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party wants to see new projects built. He has shown interest in backing the bill but also wants stronger changes. According to him, the current version doesn’t go far enough to help projects move forward quickly.
Carney Open to Longer House Session
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he might extend the House of Commons sitting into July. He wants to make sure Bill C-5 gets passed. With the deadline for trade reform coming up fast, time is running short.
Carney is determined to pass both parts of the bill before the summer break. He believes the changes in Bill C-5 are important for the country’s economy and future development.
What’s at Stake
The internal trade section of the bill could remove long-standing restrictions that slow down business across provinces. The second part could fast-track energy, transportation, and infrastructure projects that often get delayed due to lengthy approval processes.
However, some parties fear the fast approval process might harm the environment if not studied carefully.
