On July 8, Liberal and independent senators voted for the removal of changes weakening environmental protection laws, namely the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), amongst other sections of Bill C-9 they believed did not belong in the bill. Unfortunately, yesterday, Bill C-9 was passed after a 48 to 44 vote - bad news for environmental protection because the sections, that were removed by the Senate finance committee, have now been reinstated and the bill received royal assent last night.
On a more positive note, 'turning the CEAA amendments into a public and political issue is a great achievement which demonstrates the collective influence environmental organizations are capable of' said Mr. Stephen Hazell of Ecojustice. And this work will, of course, continue!!
