"OTTAWA -- Late [Monday] night, Canada's House of Commons passed Bill C-38, the budget of the majority Conservative government, ignoring thousands of Canadians who spoke up for nature and democracy."
"The budget bill includes sweeping changes to environmental protection laws and paves the way for industrial development that opposition parties and conservationists warn risks the future of Canada's land, water, fish stocks and climate.
In a marathon vote on the 425-page Conservative Budget Implementation Act 2012, all opposition amendments failed to pass because Prime Minister Stephen Harper leads a majority government. With a majority, a Canadian prime minister can have any law passed, regardless of the opposition of elected officials or citizens.
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says more than C$500 billion could be invested in major energy and other natural resource projects in Canada in the next 10 years alone, giving economic growth and job creation a significant boost."
Environment News Service had the story June 19, 2012.
