Bill S-245 explained in plain English

On February 15, 2018, the Senate of Canada held its first reading of Bill S-245, an Act to declare the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada. This artifact is a record of the Senate sitting where this procedural step occurred. The sitting also included tributes to former Senator Bert Brown, discussions on Black History Month, and various other routine proceedings, question period exchanges, and debate on other bills. The debate on Bill S-245 itself is not detailed in this record; it only notes its introduction.

On March 27, 2018, the Senate debated Bill S-245, An Act to declare the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada. Although the bill was debated at the second reading stage, the debate was adjourned and the bill was ultimately defeated, as indicated by the current bill status. The primary focus of the debate was on the procedural and constitutional necessity of using the federal government's declaratory power to assert jurisdiction over the pipeline and its related works, thereby overriding provincial and municipal authority. Arguments were made that this declaration is crucial for enabling the project's completion amidst ongoing legal challenges and protests, and for sending a clear signal about the project's importance to Canada's national interest and economic prosperity.

This artifact is a record of debate in the Senate on March 27, 2018, concerning Bill S-245, an Act to declare the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada. The bill was ultimately defeated. Senator Douglas Black, the sponsor of the bill, argued in favour of its passage, stating it would provide a legal foundation for federal action on the pipeline project, assert Parliament's recognition of the project's national interest, and bring all related works under federal jurisdiction, thereby excluding provincial and municipal authority. He detailed the extensive seven-year process the project had already undergone, including numerous consultations and regulatory approvals, and highlighted ongoing legal challenges and civil disobedience that were impeding progress. Senator Black argued that the bill was necessary to uphold the rule of law and to address concerns about Canada's competitive economic position, citing the significant financial losses due to project delays. He concluded that the bill would send a signal to the world that projects in Canada can be completed, thereby supporting the nation's prosperity.

On April 17, 2018, the Senate sat and conducted business including the tabling of reports, addressing questions in Question Period, and continuing debates on several bills. Notably, there were lengthy discussions and tributes related to the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash. The Senate also debated Bill S-245, an act to declare the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada, at second reading. The debate included strong arguments for and against the bill, focusing on federal jurisdiction, economic benefits, environmental concerns, and Indigenous rights. The bill was ultimately defeated.

This artifact is a record of a Senate debate on April 17, 2018. The debate was part of the second reading stage of Bill S-245, An Act to declare the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada. The bill was ultimately defeated. The provided text does not contain the full bill, but rather a discussion that occurred regarding it. The artifact focuses on the speeches made by Senators Richard Neufeld and André Pratte concerning the bill. Senator Neufeld spoke in favour of the bill, arguing it would assert federal jurisdiction, reassure Kinder Morgan, and highlighted the project's economic benefits and Canada's global competitiveness. He also addressed opposition to the project and compared the current situation to past debates on pipeline projects. Senator Pratte spoke against the bill, arguing that invoking Parliament's declaratory power would not resolve the impasse, could exacerbate tensions, lead to further litigation, and undermine federalism. He suggested that federal-provincial diplomacy and negotiation were more appropriate solutions. The rest of the artifact records other Senate proceedings from the same day, including tributes to victims of a tragic bus crash, tabling of reports, and debates on other bills.

This artifact records a Senate sitting on April 24, 2018. The Senate observed a moment of silence for the victims of a tragedy in Toronto. Senators also offered tributes and remarks on various other topics, including World Intellectual Property Day, tanker and pipeline safety, genocide remembrance, and the passing of former MP Keith Ashfield. Routine proceedings included the tabling of several reports and the first reading of a new bill. The "Orders of the Day" section shows that Bill S-245, concerning the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project, was debated at second reading. The sitting also included "Question Period" where the Minister of Indigenous Services responded to questions. Following Question Period, the Senate resumed debate on Bill S-245, which was then referred to committee. Several other items were debated, including motions regarding Senator Lynn Beyak's website and a motion concerning the South China Sea. The sitting concluded with further debate on various inquiries and motions.

On May 10, 2018, the Senate convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings and orders of the day. A key procedural event was the presentation of the Twelfth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications regarding Bill S-245, An Act to declare the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada. The committee reported the bill without amendment. Subsequently, the bill was placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting. The sitting also featured tributes to Senator Nancy Greene Raine, who was retiring, and discussions on various other matters, including messages from the House of Commons concerning other bills, committee reports, and inquiries on social issues.

On May 22, 2018, the Senate of Canada debated the third reading of Bill S-245. This bill aimed to declare the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada. The debate involved discussions on the necessity of the bill for federal action and certainty for the project's construction. Senators debated the merits of using the federal government's declaratory power, its potential impact on provincial jurisdiction (especially environmental matters), and the ongoing legal challenges and consultations with Indigenous peoples. The Senate also discussed the economic importance of the pipeline, Canada's reputation as a place to do business, and the perceived delays and obstructions to the project. Ultimately, the Senate proceeded to a vote on Bill S-245, and it was defeated.