In a presentation to the committee examining Bill C-32, representatives from CUPEs Environment Committee told senators the bill is fatally flawed, giving up power to multinational corporations and endangering public health.
Among CUPEs concerns: changes that will limit the scope of government to regulate and control production of toxic substances and the use of genetically engineered products; a reduced role in enforcement and a weaker environmental assessment process. The federal government has caved in to industry lobbyists, said Peter Leiss, chair of CUPEs environment committee and a member of CUPE 416. The Commons committee made a number of positive changes to the bill but the government has gutted it. We think the Senate should sent the bill back and demand better legislation.