OCC, CME & Tenaris Calling for Changes to Federal Bill C-69

(Toronto – May 15, 2019) – Today, Dennis Darby, CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Dave McHattie, Vice-President, Institutional Relations, Canada of Tenaris, and Ashley Challinor, Vice President of Policy of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce came together for a press conference to call for changes on Bill C-69, An Act to enact the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, to amend the Navigation Protection Act.

They are concerned Bill C-69 will impact the ability to build major projects in Canada and will therefore also impair Ontario’s economic growth and potential. If projects do not get built in the province or elsewhere in Canada, Ontario will suffer as it is the manufacturing backbone of the country and the supplier of goods and materials for most major development projects.

Dave McHattie, Vice-President, Institutional Relations, Canada of Tenaris explained: “If we cannot develop our Canadian energy resources and get them to market, we are losing an opportunity for our manufacturing sector supply chain.  The energy and manufacturing sectors go hand in hand”

“Bill C-69 impacts the entire Canadian economy, including that of Ontario. We stand alongside the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and other industry stakeholders with the message that, unless this legislation is amended, Canada will become a nation of builders that can’t get anything built,” said Ashley Challinor, Vice President of Policy of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“We can’t seem to get things built in Canada and we’ve failed to build on the wealth of our vast natural resources. Our regulatory system must do far more to facilitate economic growth and competitiveness. Bill C-69 does not do that,” continued Dennis Darby, CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

There is growing consensus among industry groups and business leaders that changes to Bill C-69 are needed to ensure clear and concise rules for the development of future projects. Lack of clarity has already cost Canada billions of dollars in investment that Ontario manufacturers rely on for their businesses.  “Nobody wants to see bad projects proceed. We simply want the good ones to move forward as quickly, amicably and predictably as possible,” explained Darby.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Ceara Copps – Edwards
Senior Communications Advisor
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca | (647) 936-6734

Stefi Proulx
Director of Communications
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
stefi.proulx@cme-mec.ca | (613) 292-6070

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