Federal ministers defend major projects bill at House committee meeting
Four federal ministers are defending the government's contentious legislation to speed up major projects in the House of Commons today, as Ottawa continues to face criticism from Indigenous, environment and labour groups.
The 243-page bill would fast-track approvals for major projects, cut their review times and create zones of "national interest" to pre-approve certain types of projects.
Labour leaders and union members gathered across Canada last week to protest Bill C-39, arguing the legislation would undermine workers' right to strike.
A collective of First Nations groups has also condemned the legislation, arguing it would weaken environmental oversight and strip away their ability to influence decisions affecting their territories.
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said today that Bill C-39 does not reduce Ottawa's requirement to consult with Indigenous rights holders and "a more efficient process does not mean a less rigorous one."
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the legislation looks to reduce administrative burdens while also maintaining strong safety and environmental standards.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
By Catherine Morrison | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Quebec Superior Court rejects Amazon's unionization-related challenge
Quebec Superior Court has rejected a motion by Amazon filed in connection with the company's challenge to unionization efforts at its now-shuttered Laval warehouse.
A union affiliated with the CSN was certified in May 2024, before the e-commerce giant shuttered all seven of its warehouses in the province.
Amazon had challenged the unionization, arguing the process violated workers' freedom of association because a secret vote was not held.
Amazon argued that this violated the right of workers to freedom of association, but Quebec's administrative labour tribunal ruled in October 2024 that the company didn't have standing to invoke that right on behalf of others.
Amazon challenged the decision on procedural fairness grounds, asserting that it had not been given the opportunity to fully present its position.
Quebec Superior Court, however, has upheld the labour tribunal's decision and dismissed the challenge.
In Quebec and British Columbia, workers can be automatically certified without a vote if a certain proportion of the workforce signs union cards, a law known as card-check certification. The Laval warehouse was certified through this process.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
By Lia Lévesque | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Judge reserves decision on fate of Saskatchewan Mountie killer's truck
A Saskatoon judge has reserved his decision on what to do with a convicted Mountie killer's blue pickup truck that was involved in a police chase 20 years ago.
Justice Daryl Labach told court he plans to make his decision in December on whether to forfeit Curtis Dagenais' 1986 GMC 1500 to the Crown.
The 61-year-old was in the truck when he shot two Mounties to death on a country road near Mildred, Sask., in July 2006.
In 2009, a jury convicted Dagenais of first-degree murder for shooting constables Robin Cameron and Marc Bourdages.
He was also convicted of attempted murder for wounding a third Mountie.
The truck is smashed, dented and pockmarked with bullet holes, and has been kept in storage at RCMP headquarters in Regina since the killings.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.