Infrastructure Projects Act
| Infrastructure Projects Act | |
|---|---|
| Citation | S.B.C. 2025 c. 13 |
| Assented to | May 29, 2025 |
| Legislative history | |
| Bill citation | Bill 15 |
| Introduced by | Bowinn Ma MLA, Minister of Infrastructure |
| First reading | May 1, 2025 |
| Second reading | May 13, 2025 |
| Third reading | May 28, 2025 |
| Status: Current legislation | |
The Infrastructure Projects Act is an act of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia with the goal of accelerating development.
Provisions
[edit]The legislation allows the British Columbia cabinet to designate projects as "provincially significant" which exempts them from going through certain parts of environmental assessments.[1][2][3]
Legislative passage
[edit]The legislature passed the legislation with a 47-46 vote.[4]
Reception
[edit]The legislation has been criticized for potentially reducing engagement with First Nations peoples, and possibly leading to increasing litigation as a consequence.[1][5]
The provincial Green Party announced they would vote against the legislation due to concerns that projects relating to fossil fuels would be accelerated.[1] The provincial Conservative Party criticized the legislation as a "power grab".[1]
See also
[edit]- Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act
- Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d DeRosa, Katie (May 9, 2025). "Premier stands behind bill to fast-track infrastructure projects, despite growing backlash". CBC News. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Lazenby, Alec (May 15, 2025). "B.C. First Nations prepare for legal fight after Premier Eby refuses to withdraw controversial fast-track legislation". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Yunker, Zoë (May 14, 2025). "Will Cutting Red Tape Make BC Great Again?". The Tyee. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Little, Simon; Zussman, Richard (May 28, 2025). "BC NDP's contentious fast-track legislation passes in tight vote". Global News. Archived from the original on May 29, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Gruske, Carolyn (June 3, 2025). "BC's new infrastructure laws raise concerns for First Nations". Canadian Lawyer. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.