A new opinion piece argues that Canada's slow regulatory approval process for major projects is harming both the economy and the environment. The author claims that endless permitting delays on pipelines, transmission lines, and other infrastructure have redirected investment to other countries while failing to protect endangered species. The article frames the debate as a trade-off between responsible development and environmental protection, arguing that wealth from resource projects funds conservation efforts. The piece specifically criticizes the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society's opposition to Ottawa's Strategy to Protect Nature, arguing that treating nature as infrastructure means accepting trade-offs. It points to the Energy East pipeline cancellation and Trans Mountain delays as examples of regulatory gridlock that has cost Canada economic opportunity without clear environmental benefits. The author calls for a balance between development and protection, noting that prosperity enables better environmental stewardship.
