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OTTAWA — Senators pressed government officials Wednesday about whether an “early engagement” provision under Bill C-69 will in fact get projects built more quickly in Canada, a point of controversy under the legislation as several major pipeline construction efforts remain stalled or have been outright abandoned.

During committee hearings Wednesday, Senators questioned whether the bill, which aims to overhaul the federal review process for major projects like oilsands facilities and nuclear plants, could expose more projects — particularly oil pipelines — to endless legal disputes. Projects like the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and the Keystone XL pipeline have struggled with legal delays, stoking resentment in oil-rich Alberta and leading some politicians to frame C-69 as an added constraint to the natural resources sector.

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“There’s so many cogs in the wheel here that I’m a little worried every project can be brought into litigation,” said Sen. David Richards, representing New Brunswick.