Press Release
Office of Cheryl Gallant
OTTAWA – Parliament began the first hour of debate on a Private Members Bill designed to strengthen the private property rights of Canadians. Introduced by MP Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke), Bill C-222,
An Act to amend the Expropriation Act (protection of private property), creates new limits on when the federal government can fast-track the expropriation of private property.
Under current federal expropriation legislation, a Minister may by-pass the requirement to hold a public hearing under special circumstances.
Bill C-222 requires a public meeting still be held if those special circumstances included expropriation to restore natural habitat or in response to climate variability.
“As we have all recently learned, by declaring emergencies, governments give themselves extraordinary powers,” said MP Gallant. “With the Trudeau Liberals’ re-branding climate change as a climate emergency they are positioning the government for the largest land grab since Europeans first set foot in Canada.”
Gallant’s bill was seconded by fellow Conservative MP Earl Dreeshen (Red Deer—Mountain View).
In supporting the bill MP Dreeshen said; “Sadly, there are still some situations where governments have extraordinary powers that are easily abused. This is why I am so honoured to speak to Bill C-222, an act to amend the Expropriation Act regarding the protection of private property. I want to congratulate the hon. member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke for bringing this important legislation forward.”
During the first hour of debate, the other parties indicated they would oppose the bill. Bill C-222 is expected to come up for its second hour of debate in 2021, provided the Prime Minister does not call an election. Canadians wishing to support passage of Bill C-222 are encouraged to write to their Members of Parliament at https://cherylgallant.com/c222.
