* Endless debate on projects is unacceptable – minister
* Environmental measures included in omnibus budget bill
* Opposition says inclusion undermines political debate
OTTAWA, May 7 (Reuters) – Canadian government measures to
speed up environmental approvals for pipelines and other major
projects are crucial to help expand the economy and boost
employment, Natural Resources Joe Oliver said on Monday.
“The need for this legislation is urgent,” Oliver told
reporters outside the House of Commons. “The world will not
stand by and wait while Canada endlessly deliberates the merits
of its resource potential and squanders its legacy.”
The environmental measures have been folded into an omnibus
budget implementation bill, drawing sharp criticism from
opposition parties and environmental groups who say the move
would short-circuit political debate.
“There is no transparency, no accountability,” Nathan
Cullen, House leader for the opposition New Democratic Party,
said as he asked the Conservative government to separate out the
environmental components from the budget bill.
In his remarks to reporters, Oliver said a finance
subcommittee would be set up to deal separately and openly with
the measures for what the government calls “responsible resource
development.”
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty defended the inclusion of
diverse issues in the budget legislation. “A large budget begets
a large budget implementation bill,” he told the House.
The Conservatives say the current regulatory system is too
complex and can lead to development projects being held up for a
decade or more, but ecologists say anything less risks serious
damage to the environment.
Citing estimates from the Canadian Energy Research
Institute, Oliver said proposed pipeline expansion and projected
oil output increases would generate 700,000 jobs on average over
the next 25 years and add C$3.3 trillion ($3.3 trillion) in
economic activity.
($1=$0.99 Canadian)
(Reporting by Randall Palmer; Editing by Frank McGurty)
