FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2025
VICTORIA, BC – Rob Botterell, MLA for North Saanich and the Islands, issued the following statement on introducing an amendment to remove Bill 15 from time allocation:
“The BC Greens are using every tool available to stop Bill 15. It’s clear this is a deeply flawed bill. The government has invoked closure on this bill, meaning it must be passed by 8 pm tonight. Today, I introduced a motion removing the requirement to pass all stages this evening, giving the government the time to do the necessary consultations to fix this legislation.”
“They are not out of time. We’ve asked them to take this step, and the BC Conservatives have indicated support. The ball is in the NDP’s court. We’ve asked, but the government hasn’t explained why this Bill needs to pass before the fall session. If speed is the goal, then legal challenges would ultimately slow things down anyway.”
“The NDP still has the opportunity to do the right thing: remove the time allocation clause, conduct the necessary consultations over the summer, restore public trust, and bring this bill back in the fall.”
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Media contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca
Background
On May 6, 2025, the BC NDP introduced a motion without notice, committing the House to consider all stages of Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, by 7:50pm on May 28, even if Committee stage review of the Bill has not concluded. Known as “closure,” this motion deprives the Legislative Assembly of its ability to consider and scrutinize the Government’s legislation. The motion introduced by MLA Botterell on May 28 would have removed the time requirement, allowing the Bill to remain on the Order Paper over the summer recess to allow the Government the necessary time to complete consultations and amend the legislation accordingly. This process would both improve the quality of the legislation and reduce the risk of legal challenge and protest.