OTTAWA – The Liberals used their majority last week to push through the House of Commons a bill to sell off CN Rail.
In the Senate, where the Liberals do not have a majority, the plan may hit some rough weather.
Conservative leaders in the Senate say they plan to take their time on the bill, holding hearings, asking questions and possibly disrupting the government’s aim of starting the sell off late this year.
The bill made it through the Commons under protest from all opposition parties.
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“It is an important moment in Canadian history, allowing one of our crown corporations to become a full player in the private sector and give the country what it needs – efficient, affordable and reliable rail service,” Liberal Joe Fontana said as he piloted the bill through third reading.
The Bloc QuŽbecois argued the sale was unnecessary and that workers would be hurt. New Democrats made similar arguments.
Reform MPs complained the bill did not go far enough. They said the Liberals have put too many restrictions on the transactions,
such as:
- Forcing the new owners to keep CN headquarters in Montreal.
- Insisting the new company live by the terms of the Official Languages Act.
- Limiting any one investor to 15 percent.
These are some of the same questions Conservative Senators say they want to ask.
Some also will challenge the government view that a publicly owned railway is no longer needed.
Transport minister Doug Young says he hopes to raise $1.5 billion with sale of CN, making it the largest share offering in Canadian corporate history.
