Amend or remove Section 12 of Bill C‑15
Petitioners ask that Section 12 of Bill C‑15 be removed or narrowed to stop ministerial three‑year exemptions that bypass federal protections. The government responds it will expand time‑limited, transparent regulatory sandboxes with reporting and safeguards.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would curb a broad ministerial power to grant multi‑year exemptions, helping preserve federal laws and protections the petition cites.
- It would require clearer parliamentary oversight and public reporting, improving transparency and democratic accountability over exemptions.
- It would protect environmental, procurement and competition safeguards from being bypassed and help maintain public trust in regulation.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Temporary exemptions can provide regulatory flexibility to test innovations or ease burdens; removing the power could limit useful tools for adaptation.
- A full repeal could slow urgent or nuanced government responses, trading speed and adaptability for stricter oversight.
- Amending to add clear criteria, reporting and parliamentary review could address concerns while preserving time‑limited exemption tools.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons: Whereas: • Section 12 of Part 2, Division 5, Part 5 of Bill C-15, the Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1, permits ministers to exempt entities from compliance with provisions of federal legislation or regulations, except the Criminal Code, for periods of up to three years; • The power to grant such exemptions is broad and unrestrained, with no clear statutory criteria, parliamentary approval, or public reporting requirements; • This provision could undermine core protections established by duly enacted laws, including those related to the environment, public procurement, and competition; • Broad exemption powers exercised without clear oversight may risk diminishing public confidence in Canada's legal and regulatory framework and erode democratic accountability. We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Reconsider Section 12 of Part 2, Division 5, Part 5 of Bill C-15; 2. Amend or remove this provision to ensure that exemptions cannot undermine legislative protections or the democratic process.
Government response
Response by the President of the Treasury Board Signed by Tom Osborne An effective regulatory system maintains appropriate controls. It also keeps pace with innovation. To this end, the President of the Treasury Board has been leading efforts to enhance Canada’s regulatory system. For example, work is underway across government to advance approximately 500 ways to reduce red tape. Budget 2025 proposes additional enhancements by expanding the use and increasing the transparency of regulatory sandboxes. Regulatory sandboxes have been in use in certain departments since 2019. They help regulators safely test new products, services, and technologies before recommending permanent rule changes. This means that products and services can be more quickly introduced into the marketplace using the most appropriate regulatory approach. The proposed expansion of sandboxes would extend their use across government for the clean technology or financial technology sectors. However, they could only be used for a specific, time-limited purpose where there is a clearly defined benefit to the country and Canadians. Regulatory sandboxes would also need to follow a rigorous and transparent process. First, as per a requirement in the Policy on Regulatory Sandboxes, advance notice of a proposed sandbox would be publicly reported in a department’s forward regulatory plan. The department would then engage with relevant stakeholders as a sandbox is developed. Once approved, sandboxes would be publicly reported by the responsible Minister, through the Canada Gazette, in a report tabled in each House of Parliament, and by the President of the Treasury Board in an annual report tabled in each House of Parliament. The responsible Minister must, on request, also appear before the appropriate committee of Parliament to explain the decision-making process and reasons for the order. At all times, regulatory authorities would need to maintain safeguards to protect Canadians’ health, safety and the environment.