The Conservatives are raising concerns about the Liberal government’s budget bill granting ministers with sweeping powers that would enable them to exempt any individual or company from federal laws, except the Criminal Code.
The federal government’s budget bill, Bill C-15, says a minister could use these powers “only if the minister is of the opinion” that the exemption is in the public interest, would enable the testing of a product, service, procedure, or regulatory measure, and its benefits would outweigh the risks.
The measures aim to encourage innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth, the bill says, adding that ministers could use such powers to provide an exemption for up to six years….