The Impact Assessment Act obstructed Canada from becoming “independent and strong” in the resources sector, said Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in an interview following the Supreme Court’s ruling that declared the law unconstitutional.

“The anti-energy, anti-resource law has prevented us from building pipelines, natural gas liquefaction facilities, developing mines, and harvesting other resources that would allow us to become independent and strong,” he told NTD, a sister media of The Epoch Times.

On Oct. 13, the Supreme Court declared the Liberal government’s environmental legislation, formerly known as Bill C-69, “largely unconstitutional.” This 2019 law grants the federal government the authority to enforce additional environmental assessments on resource and infrastructure projects. Provinces opposing the legislation said that it encroaches upon their jurisdiction and hinders investments due to the added regulatory burdens and associated costs.

Following the ruling, Mr. Poilievre stated his intention to repeal the law, asserting that it has hindered Canada’s resource potential and therefore amplified its reliance on authoritarian exporters.