Introduction
On June 21, 2019 the Senate passed Bills C-48 and C-69, after a
prolonged and contentious debate in both the upper and lower
chambers. Bill C-48, which imposes a ban on oil tankers off British
Columbia's Northern Coast, passed in substantially the same
form as originally tabled in the House of Commons. Bill C-69, which
significantly overhauls the federal regulatory approval process,
passed with 99 amendments that were approved by House of Commons.
Both Bills received royal assent on the same day.
The passage of both bills marks the end to a controversial
Parliamentary saga that has generated anxieties from western
provinces and certain industries that view both pieces of
legislation as further frustrating an already fledging natural
resources industry. Premier Kenny has reiterated his commitment to
launching a constitutional challenge to both bills, on the grounds
that it represents an unconstitutional intrusion into provincial
power and prejudicially
