As senators debate Bill C-55, the familiar battle lines of the environment against the economy have been drawn.
The provisions of the proposed legislation, an Act to amend the Oceans Act and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, are meant to create a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Canada, and improve the process of designating them.
Introduced in the Senate in late April, the bill also enhances and clarifies the responsibilities of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard to designate locations and establish the network.
