VANCOUVER - The Wilderness Committee joins thousands of Canadians across the country in expressing deep disappointment at this week’s passing of Bill C-38.

The federal omnibus budget bill passed Monday evening after a final debate in the House of Commons, and is now waiting on approval from the Senate.

"Now that Bill C-38 has been signed off by the federal government, British Columbians can look forward to low protection for wild salmon, fewer environmental safeguards for large industrial projects, less science and more political interference with Canada's remaining environmental laws," said Gwen Barlee, Policy Director at the Wilderness Committee.

With 752 different clauses contained in the sprawling 425-page document, the bill represents a drastic shift in the Canadian government’s attitude towards environmental protection. The decision to combine amendments to more than 60 pieces of legislation in a single bill has also raised serious concerns about the democratic process, as policymakers were not given adequate opportunity to debate and challenge individual elements.

“This is a sad day for Canadian democracy. Our elected Prime Minister is acting more like a representative for big oil companies than for the people of Canada," said Ben West, Healthy Communities Campaigner.

"Bill C-38 seems tailored by industry lobbyists to make it easier to push through extremely controversial pipeline projects that would bring substantial risk to our rivers and our coast. History will not look kindly upon this government's actions," said West.

Not only does the bill include a complete overhaul of federal environmental assessment legislation, it also eliminates vital protections for fish habitat, withdraws from commitments on climate action and reduces government oversight on potentially destructive industrial projects. In addition, these changes are being rolled out against a backdrop of major cuts to environmental agencies, which have traditionally played an essential role in protecting our air and water.