February 9, 2025
Jason Kenney launches legal challenge against controversial Bill C-69
C-69 was a central pillar of Trudeau's so-called 'grand bargain' that sought to appease voters both supportive and opposed to fossil fuel development.
C-69 was a central pillar of Trudeau’s so-called ‘grand bargain’ that sought to appease voters both supportive and opposed to fossil fuel development.

OTTAWA — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is launching his promised legal challenge against Ottawa’s contentious environmental assessment bill, marking the latest complication for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he aims to balance opposing interests between the environment and the natural resource economy.

Kenney on Tuesday said the province had levelled a constitutional challenge against Bill C-69, which overhauled the regulatory regime that oversees applications for major projects like sea ports and pipelines. The new legislation officially came into force on Aug. 28.

The move follows through on a long-held threat by Kenney to legally oppose Trudeau’s C-69 legislation, which the premier on Tuesday called a “blunt and obvious effort to violate our exclusive constitutional right” in the province to freely develop its natural resources.

“This is not about jobs in Alberta, although that is critical,” Kenney said. “It’s about the rule of law, it’s about the dream of an economic union, it’s about respect for the fundamental law of the land, the constitution of Canada.”

The bill was a central pillar of Trudeau’s so-called “grand bargain” that sought to appease voters both supportive and opposed to fossil fuel development, in part by approving major oil pipelines while also enforcing a national carbon tax.

His approach has proven difficult, drawing criticism from both industry and environmental groups.

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