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Jamie Sarkonak: Mark Carney's 'one project, one year' mirage

The omnibus Bill C-39 is supposed to speed up resource projects, but it has optional timelines

The newly tabled revamp to the federal infrastructure approvals process — Bill C-39 — comes with the tagline, “One project, one decision, in one year.” But this seems to be more a suggestion than a rule.

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If passed, the bill would make numerous changes to federal laws that determine whether or not infrastructure gets built. The intent is to streamline the approvals process and to give a better estimate to prospective builders of when to expect a green light.

Jamie Sarkonak: Mark Carney's 'one project, one year' mirage Back to video

So, while proponents at present must work with multiple federal authorities to get their project approved, sometimes one after another, Bill C-39 would designate one federal authority as the point of contact.

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In cases where multiple assessments are needed from different federal bodies, Bill C-39 would have these run at the same time, rather than in sequence. Sequential assessments have been a problem in the past: a positive outcome under the Impact Assessment Act, which can take years to obtain, can be derailed by a negative Species at Risk Act assessment — or it can be later tossed out in court. This was what happened to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories when it tried to build a long-term nuclear........

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