Six premiers say Liberal bills threaten national unity—Trudeau says they’re wrong

Earlier this week David Akin at Global News reported that six premiers had asked Prime Minister Trudeau to change or cancel two controversial pieces of legislation which they wrote threatened national unity.

The two controversial bills referenced included C-69, which was sponsored by Catherine McKenna. The bill aimed to change how regulators evaluated significant resource projects, and bill C-48 sponsored by Marc Garneau which would ban any tankers off the northern coast of British Columbia.

“Bill C-69, as originally drafted, would make it virtually impossible to develop critical infrastructure, depriving Canada of much-needed investment,” says the letter, given to Global News.

“Our governments are deeply concerned with the federal government’s disregard, so far, of the concerns raised by our provinces related to these bills. As it stands, the federal government appears indifferent to the economic hardships faced by provinces,” the letter also notes.

“Immediate action to refine or eliminate these bills is needed to avoid further alienating provinces and their citizens and focus on uniting the country in support of Canada’s economic prosperity”, the “urgent letter” concludes.

The six premiers currently warning the Prime Minister include five Conservative and one independent. With Ontario’s Doug Ford, Manitoba’s Brian Pallister, Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe, Alberta’s Jason Kenney, Northwest Territories Premier Robert McLeod, and New Brunswick’s Blaine Higgs all voicing their dissent.

Interestingly, in response to premiers from across Canada, the prime minister responded by commenting that Conservatives were the ones who were ruining national unity.

In response, Canada’s most popular Premier Scott Moe responded that the PM should perhaps pour a box of water on the bills instead of fire, making a reference to a recent gaffe made by the PM while announcing a ban on plastic bottles.

Premier Moe was not alone in his public response, with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney also responding on Twitter. Premier Kenney noted that Prime Minister Trudeau had no one to blame for himself.

While also noting that the PM’s decision to ignore and insult a point made by premiers representing 60% of Canada’s population was “reckless, irresponsible, and damaging to the confederation”

What do you think about the spat currently occurring between the Prime Minister and six premiers?

Should the Prime Minister pull back on the controversial bills or are the premiers wrong?

Join the conversation by commenting below!