Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during question period in the House of Commons on Dec. 3, 2025.
Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Hidden in the federal government’s 634-page omnibus bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act, is a measure that has so far escaped scrutiny. Under the pretext of regulatory efficiency, Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to grant cabinet ministers the power to exempt any individual or company from any federal law on the books — except for the Criminal Code — for up to six years.
The measure wasn’t included in the version of the Liberals’ Nov. 4 budget tha…
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during question period in the House of Commons on Dec. 3, 2025.
Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Hidden in the federal government’s 634-page omnibus bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act, is a measure that has so far escaped scrutiny. Under the pretext of regulatory efficiency, Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to grant cabinet ministers the power to exempt any individual or company from any federal law on the books — except for the Criminal Code — for up to six years.
The measure wasn’t included in the version of the Liberals’ Nov. 4 budget that was given to reporters. It was not discussed in the government’s speeches in Parliament about this bill. No opposition party aside from the Bloc Québécois seems to have noticed it was there until the Star pointed it out.
Opinion articles are based on the author’s interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events. More details
Althia Raj is a national politics columnist for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @althiaraj