House Speaker splits major projects bill for two separate votes

Members of Parliament will hold two separate votes on the government's major projects bill later today after the House Speaker ruled the legislation has two distinct parts.

Bill C-5, known as the one Canadian economy act, contains measures to tackle internal trade barriers and also gives the government sweeping new powers to approve major projects.

The Liberals pledged during the election campaign to pass a law to break down interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day.

They're pushing the legislation through the House of Commons with the support of the Conservatives, and aim to have it passed by the end of the day.

The Bloc Québécois has called for the bill to be split to allow MPs more time to study the measures that deal with major projects.

New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan asked House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia to hold separate votes on third reading, and Scarpaleggia agreed in a ruling this afternoon that the bill has two distinct parts.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle