Bill C-69 has been the cause for concern among residents in the region due to the potential implications it would have on the oil industry and other resource projects.

The bill has already been passed through the House of Commons and currently sits in the Senate of Canada, however, the regulations of the bill have yet to be released leaving feelings of uncertainty as to what the federal government’s true plan is.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated to the Canadian Press in a recent interview that, “the bill will create a system where you don’t have to pass a law to get a pipeline built, you don’t have to buy an energy project in order to de-risk it.” However, Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Energy and Resources for Saskatchewan, said the after-effects of the bill would not be in support of building pipelines and other energy sector projects in a timely or certain manor and it could even re-evaluate projects already complete.

The bill takes much of the momentum of projects out of the energy sector and places it in the hands of environment ministers. Eyre stated that the bill leaves it open so that a project can be stopped at anytime which creates further uncertainty for investors looking to Canada.

Although the federal government has stated the bill is to advance projects, of which is a priority for many conservative leaders, not one conservative party member voted for the bill to be passed through the House of Commons. The final reading and adoption of the bill in the House tallied 169 votes for the bill, while 131 were in opposition. Those in favour and who voted yes were comprised of only liberal and green party votes, all others including conservative members, NDP, Quebec debout and the bloc party were all opposed to the bill.

With the bill adding a tremendous amount of uncertainty to a market that is currently already rocky, has the very real possibility of investors taking their money elsewhere. This in turn wouldn’t only have the potential to create massive job loss in Western Canada, the revenues for the provinces would be greatly stifled as well.

The oil and gas sector has in previous years been a robust avenue for Saskatchewan’s revenue and budget, however, given the recent volatility of the market, it has been reported that adjustments in the budget have been made to shift financial reliance away from oil and gas revenues and other resources including potash and other mining and focus on other methods. 

Eyre stated that given the vagueness of the bill, there is little to no quantitative data outlining the new regulations that would have to be met in order for resource projects to see completion.

The bill currently sits in the hand of those who comprise the Senate of Canada, Eyre shared that their goal is to defer and delay and get it thrown out all together. She added that the Senators need to be made aware of the opposition to the bill and to know exactly how it will affect Saskatchewan residents, Western Canada and Canada as a nation.

She will be travelling to Ottawa to voice such concerns early in the new year and said all those who wish to have their voice heard should do so, as there is power in numbers.

Support of opposition of C-69 can be sent to Minister Eyre at ministerer@gov.sk.ca, or Senator Tkachuk’s at david.tkatchuk@sen.parl.gc.ca.

A full outline of the bill can be found here.