C-235Building a Green Prairie Economy Act
An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on February 7, 2022
- Status
- Became law on December 15, 2022 · S.C. 2022, c. 21
What it does
Requires a federal framework to help build a green economy in the Prairie provinces, with consultations and regular reports to Parliament.
What it does
- Requires the minister responsible for economic development in the Prairie provinces to work with six other federal ministers to develop a framework for local cooperation and engagement on federal programs.
- Requires consultation with provincial officials for transportation, environment and employment, plus municipalities, Indigenous governing bodies, the private sector, employers and employees, unless another law already provides for that consultation.
- Says the framework must improve transport options in small Prairie cities and communities, including new public transit solutions.
- Says the framework must support job creation and skills transfer in areas that rely on traditional energy industries, to help build a net-zero emissions green economy and reduce climate impacts.
- Says the framework must promote clean energy, natural infrastructure, climate adaptation projects and local projects involving businesses, governments and civil society.
- Requires the minister to table the first framework report within 12 months, publish it online within 10 days after tabling in both Houses, and table progress reports every five years after the first follow-up report.
Who it affects
- Prairie provinces
- Municipalities
- Indigenous governing bodies
- Businesses in the Prairies
- Employers and employees
- Traditional energy regions
- Federal ministers and departments
Background
The bill creates a new framework for the Prairie provinces and requires later reports on its progress and effectiveness.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Completed.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-235, An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies
Vote 236,
Passed
176 yeato137 nay
Party breakdown for vote 236 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 149 0 9 Conservative Nay 0 107 11 Bloc Nay 0 29 3 NDP Yea 24 0 1 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Split evenly 1 1 0 Total 176 137 2nd reading of Bill C-235, An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies
Vote 117,
Passed
206 yeato117 nay
Party breakdown for vote 117 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 152 0 7 Conservative Nay 0 117 2 Bloc Yea 28 0 4 NDP Yea 23 0 2 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 1 0 0 Total 206 117
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalJim Carr· March 4, 2022
“, seconded by the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands, moved that Bill C-235, An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies, be read the second time and referred to a committee. He said: Mr. Speaker, one does not plan in life to win the lottery, but when one does, one is left with decisions about how to take advantage of the good fortune.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeShannon Stubbs· March 4, 2022
“On behalf of the member for Regina—Lewvan and colleagues right across Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan, I will respond to the private member's bill, Bill C-235, from the member for Winnipeg South Centre. I first wanted to say that I really respect the member.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocJean-Denis Garon· March 4, 2022
“This bill talks about concentration in the economy and the importance of diversifying the economy. As we know, having an extremely concentrated economy primarily in the provinces that produce very polluting resources has an important impact not only on those provinces, but also on the rest of the country and Quebec.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPDaniel Blaikie· March 4, 2022
“I am pleased to rise to speak to Bill C-235. It is clear that we need better co-operation between the federal government, the provinces and the territories in order to get serious about climate action.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Royal assent received. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.