Bill C-69 – A Slightly Unfinished Work In The Newfoundland And Labrador Offshore

Background

Bill C-69 was passed by the Parliament of Canada in June 2019. ¹ It was omnibus legislation, a package of both new legislation and amendments to existing legislation. One of the objectives of Bill C-69 was a complete overhaul of the environmental assessment of large resource projects in Canada. It was, and continues to be, a topic of significant discussion in Canada. Throughout 2018 and 2019, it generated contentious public and political debate, which resulted in a protracted legislative process. This included a Senate committee holding hearings across the country to hear presentations from parties on all sides of the debate. The Senate eventually proposed over 180 amendments, only some of which were accepted by the federal government.