Senate Study on Budget Bill C-15: Infrastructure, Environmental Assessments, and Transport Safety

Official title: The subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 1, 2, 24, 28 and 29 of Part 5 of Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025

open Legislation Economy & Jobs Natural Resources Transportation
The Senate Transport and Communications Committee is studying parts of the federal budget bill that could change how major infrastructure projects get approved. This includes changes to environmental assessments, transport safety rules, and how big projects like high-speed rail move forward. Senators are hearing from Indigenous leaders, farmers, urban planners, and transport officials to understand the impacts.

Why This Matters

Big infrastructure projects affect your commute, your community, and the environment around you. These budget changes could speed up approvals for things like high-speed rail—or weaken environmental protections. Indigenous communities, farmers, and city planners all have stakes in how this plays out.

What Could Change

Environmental assessment processes for major projects could be streamlined or restructured. Transport safety regulations may be updated. The framework for approving large infrastructure like high-speed rail could change, potentially speeding up timelines but also altering oversight requirements.

Key Issues

  • How should environmental assessments for major infrastructure projects be reformed?
  • What changes to transport safety regulations are needed?
  • How can major projects like high-speed rail be approved more efficiently while maintaining oversight?

How to Participate

  1. Review the committee's study page to understand what's being examined and see upcoming meetings.
  2. Watch committee hearings live or view recordings at SenParlVu to hear expert testimony.
  3. Submit a brief or contact the committee clerk at trcm@sen.parl.gc.ca to share your perspective.

Events

Date Event Location Actions
December 9, 2025 9:00 AM ET Committee Hearing - Bill C-15 Study
December 10, 2025 6:46 PM ET Committee Hearing - Bill C-15 Study