Canadian Parliament Debates Bill C-39 and Defence Procurement
The Canadian government is advancing Bill C-39 to accelerate project approvals and labour interventions amid opposition from First Nations and labour unions.
Parliamentarians returned to Ottawa on October 5, 2026, to resume debate on Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. The 243-page economic and labour bill, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, proposes a one-year timeline for federal project decisions and the creation of national interest zones for project pre-approvals.
The legislation would expand the powers of Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to intervene in labour disputes to reduce work stoppages. Hajdu stated the bill would put guardrails around these ministerial powers. However, the Canadian Labour Congress and CUPE warn the measures threaten the right to strike. President of the Canadian Labour Congress Bea Bruske argued the legislation risks Canada's international labour commitments.
Opposition to the bill also comes from the Assembly of First Nations, with National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak warning that the bill could limit mandatory consultation and affect First Nations rights. The Conservative Party and Bloc Québécois have criticized the bill's political nature and the centralization of power.
In separate legislative moves, Procurement Minister Joel Lightbound introduced legislation regarding national defence and security procurement to help Canada meet a NATO target of spending five per cent of GDP on defence. Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is challenging the government to establish a strategic energy reserve and increase diesel production to one million barrels per day to combat high fuel prices.
