Greens call for urgent MP briefings on Carney government’s sweeping proposals in discussion documents

Press Release

May 14, 2026

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May has written the Ministers responsible for the May 8 Discussion documents to request in-depth briefings for all Members of Parliament on two major discussion papers released on Friday, May 8, before the close of the consultation period.

The two documents Getting Major Projects Built in Canada and Strengthening One Canadian Economy through trade and transportation propose significant legislative and policy changes affecting major projects, environmental assessment, Indigenous consultation, transportation, and federal decision-making.

“The scope of these proposals is sweeping, and much of the description is vague,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “Some proposals raise serious questions about environmental protections, Indigenous rights, and public accountability. MPs should not be asked to assess this in the dark.”

The major projects discussion paper proposes, among other changes, federal project review and decision-making timelines of no more than one year, a single Crown consultation process, single project authorities for certain sectors, and the creation of federal economic zones through regional impact assessments.

The transportation paper proposes changes related to national trade corridors, port governance, supply chains, digital and paperless trade, and a new Transportation Project Office to coordinate federal permitting and Crown consultation for certain transportation projects.

May has written to ministers Steven MacKinnon and Dominic LeBlanc requesting full briefings for MPs during the week of May 25, when Parliament returns. In her letter, May notes that Parliament is not sitting until May 25, while submissions on the major projects proposals are due June 8, leaving very little time for MPs, Indigenous rights holders, experts and the public to examine the proposed changes.

The Green Party has requested the briefings to be open to accredited news media, so Canadians can better understand the proposals and participate meaningfully in the consultation process.

“Canadians deserve to know what is being proposed before the consultation process is closed,” said May. “If the government intends to introduce legislation quickly, then it has a responsibility to provide Parliament and the public with detailed answers now.”

The Green Party is urging the government to provide separate briefings on each discussion paper, with officials available to answer detailed questions from MPs.

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For media inquiries or to arrange an interview:
media@greenparty.ca

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