After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

Safeguards for water, fish and human health bulldozed by Omnibus 2, say environmental lawyers

Bulldozed

Slamming the federal government, for allegedly repeating "its anti-democratic and draconian tactics of Spring 2012," two lawyers for West Coast Environmental Law say the omnibus bill passed yesterday  goes "far beyond what is justifiable in an actual budget bill—compromising safeguards for the environment and human health without proper study and debate."

Along with over 30 other pieces of legislation, Bill C-45 "again takes aim at the Navigable Waters Protection Act (now the Navigation Protection Act),  and the Fisheries Act," the lawyers say.

Once used to steward a sustainable environment, clean water and healthy oceans, these foundational Canadian laws continue to be rewritten "to give oil companies an easier ride," the lawyers claim.

An independent body charged with making science-based decisions to protect Canadians from toxic chemicals and hazardous materials in the workplace has also been eliminated, they say.

“The Bill C-45 ‘budget bill’ is a wolf in sheep’s clothing that will have major implications for the environment and human health,” said Jessica Clogg, Executive Director and Senior Counsel, West Coast Environmental Law. “So much for the federal government’s promise that the bill would and focus on budget implementation and contain no surprises.”

The lawyers say that "lowlights" of Bill C-45 include:

• confirming that pipelines don’t have to play by the same rules as others when it comes to protecting Canada’s lakes and rivers;

• dramatically limiting the number of waterways protected by the Navigable Waters Protection Act;

• giving industry the option to request that their existing commitments to protect fish habitat be amended or cancelled, or that they be let off the hook for promised compensation for lost or damaged habitat;

• eliminating the Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission; and,

• needlessly tinkering with the Fisheries Act andthe Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012 to correct obvious drafting mistakes made during the ramming through Omnibus Bill C-38 and sham of a debate that accompanied it.

More in Politics

Gitxsan leaders join BC First Nations to vote for Anyone But Clark (ABC)

Two Gitxsan house groups, Gwininitxw and Luutkudziiwus urge voting that will empower First Nations, support communities, environment, and economic well-being.

B.C. Premier defends Bill 20 amendments

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said Tuesday that a controversial provision in Bill 20 is meant to create “a level playing field” for all the political parties. Her comments come on the heels...

Jacobs and Florida and Gehl oh my! Who really influences our local politicians?

Still undecided about who to vote for? Second guessing yourself? Who really influences and inspires those candidates who are running for a seat in Vancouver's City Hall?
Speak up about this article on Facebook or Twitter. Do this by liking Vancouver Observer on Facebook or following us @Vanobserver on Twitter. We'd love to hear from you.