CUPE is warning that federal plans to fast-track approvals for major infrastructure projects are a gift to private investors.
The Carney government is asking for feedback about its Major Projects Office. CUPE’s submission focuses on the danger of cutting corners to approve projects.
We ask them to rethink their approach, to make decisions based on evidence and to consider health care, child care, housing and education as major projects. We also encourage them to focus on public infrastructure projects, like building an East-West electrical grid, that would deliver jobs, grow the economy and improve public services.
Rolling out the red carpet for private investors
The Liberal major projects plan rolls out the red carpet for private investors while rolling back protections for workers and the environment and sidestepping obligations to Indigenous peoples.
The Major Projects Office consultation is one of several Liberal moves that make sweeping changes on incredibly short timelines, with limited public input. The Carney government’s blueprint for the country appears to be drafted by and for corporations and employers, while workers’ voices are being ignored.
Rushing approvals with dangerous shortcuts
In their rush to approve resource extraction and infrastructure projects, the Carney government plans to take dangerous approval shortcuts, weaken accountability and ignore Canada’s obligations to meaningfully consult Indigenous peoples. Many projects in the running are privately owned or public-private partnerships (P3s).
CUPE is concerned hasty and murky approvals threaten important protections for workers and the environment and could lead to projects being labelled “in the public interest” before a full assessment and expert review. Workers and other ordinary folks will pay the price.
Giving ministers unprecedented powers
The plan gives individual ministers new powers to change the conditions projects must meet to move forward. This makes it easier for corporations to win approval for their project by influencing a single politician, bypassing the entire cabinet and the experts who review and regulate projects.
Federal cuts to the government departments and agencies that assess infrastructure projects are another red flag. Cutting internal expertise and limiting public input and expert review may leave the government relying on information from the very proponents who stand to profit from their approval.
Public projects make our country stronger
Our submission highlights the economic and social benefits of public projects like health care facilities, child care centres, community housing, schools, colleges and universities. These projects will help our country weather trade wars and other economic shocks by providing services we all depend on. Public services are a lifeline during tough times and provide well-paying, low-carbon jobs.
CUPE supports publicly owned infrastructure projects that strengthen our communities. We’re cautiously optimistic the federal government is considering support to grow an east-west electrical grid, and will keep up the pressure to ensure projects are done right. When projects move at a pace that respects workers, Indigenous peoples and expert reviewers, they can help us build a more resilient country.
Read CUPE’s submission.
