Advocacy

On October 19, 2026, Business Council of Alberta President Adam Legge appeared before the House of Commons Legislative Committee on the Building Canada Strong Act (Bill C-39).

The video and transcript below captures his address to committee members.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.  

My name is Adam Legge, President of the Business Council of Alberta and I represent over 130 CEOs of Alberta’s largest companies.  

The Business Council of Alberta supports Bill C-39. I rarely present to parliamentary committees about how much a bill gets right. But this one does. Canada’s government has taken big and bold steps here and we applaud you for doing so. Thank you – you have listened to the feedback and input from industry. You have adopted many of the recommendations from our From Barriers to Breakthroughs report. And our support is representative from a broad base of industries beyond the resource sector.  

Let me start with what the bill gets right.   

• The one-year federal review and decision timeline for major projects 

• Concurrent federal and impact assessment permitting 

• Making the Canada Energy Regulator the single federal body responsible for reviewing pipeline, power line, and energy projects, as well as the shortened timelines for reviews 

• Amending the regulatory thresholds for different levels of review within the CER 

• Making project conditions more practical by ensuring decision-makers consider whether those conditions are technically, economically and practically feasible 

• Meaningful support for labour stability through early action on expiring collective agreements and other disputes 

• Improving transportation and trade performance through a Transportation Projects Office, corridor-level planning, and designation of Regions of National Interest 

Now, there are areas in the legislation that could be enhanced: 

First, make the one-year timeline binding, with meaningful accountability. Set a clear deadline for deciding whether an application is complete and require public reporting on any clock extensions or suspensions, as well as the total time each review takes. There should be a limit to the number of times that the clock can be stopped or extensions granted, and the regulator should not be permitted to ask for additional studies due to a proponent extension. 

Second, define “public interest” and set clear safeguards for changing project approval conditions. As written, Bill C-39 gives the federal government discretion to add or amend conditions on that basis but does not define the term.  

In BCA’s view, safe and responsible projects that, among other things, create jobs, increase productivity, attract investment, diversify trade and improve affordability are in the public interest. A clear definition would also reduce the risk that a decision changes with a new government.  

Third, we strongly recommend that political decision-making move to the front of the review process, so investors know early whether a project can proceed. It would then be up to the lifecycle regulator conducting the project review to determine how it can proceed.  

Finally, we believe that the bill should introduce the concept of “standing” to ensure that any party wishing to speak or submit evidence at a project review are legitimate rights holders, or directly impacted by the project. 

Before I wrap up, I want to reinforce where it will be important for the government to stand firm in the face of criticism of the bill.  

Bill C-39 does not erode environmental standards; it changes who leads reviews and how long decisions take. Longer doesn’t mean better, more thorough, or higher standards. Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Impact Assessment Act and their lengthy processes, we created a false sense that longer meant more rigorous. Older processes were repetitive, duplicative and inefficient. We can protect the environment and make decisions faster.  

Additionally, Bill C-39 does not weaken the right to strike. There are, in fact, more safeguards in place now before the minister can invoke Section 107. Strikes and lockouts should be viewed as failures, not ambition. Any competitive country’s ambition should be to ensure uninterrupted work activity for the benefit of workers and the economy. Bill C-39 works to achieve that.  

To conclude: Bill C-39 is an important and welcome step towards addressing many of the barriers that have stifled investment, economic growth and stood in the way of Canada building things.  

The Business Council of Alberta heartily endorses this bill, asks parliamentarians to support its speedy passage, and cautions the committee not to adopt amendments that undo the important progress it makes.  

Thank you and I look forward to your questions.