B.C. Premier David Eby has announced plans to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) to reduce the influence of courts on reconciliation efforts in the province. During his speech at the Natural Resources Forum in Prince George on Tuesday, Eby emphasized the importance of collaborating with First Nations governments to drive investment decisions in British Columbia.
Eby expressed concerns about recent court rulings causing confusion regarding the purpose of the Declaration Act and the practical implications of reconciliation. He stated that reconciliation should be managed through government-to-government relationships between the provincial government, federal government, and First Nations governments, rather than being dictated by the courts.
To clarify the government’s intentions, Eby revealed that amendments to the Declaration Act will be introduced in the upcoming spring session. This move aims to explicitly outline the government’s approach to reconciliation without court interference.
The decision to revise DRIPA follows a ruling by the B.C. Court of Appeal that highlighted inconsistencies between the legislation and the province’s mineral rights allocation system. Pressure from the B.C. Conservatives to repeal the act intensified after a controversial B.C. Supreme Court ruling this summer granting land title to the Quw’utsun Nation.
Despite calls for repealing DRIPA, Eby emphasized that Indigenous land claims and title precede the legislation and are constitutionally grounded. He warned that repealing DRIPA could lead to increased conflict in court and hinder project development, disrupting the established framework for resolving disputes with First Nations.
Eby also highlighted successful collaborations with First Nations, such as partnering with the Tàłtàn Nation on mining projects and signing agreements with the Nisg̱a’a for the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project. These initiatives have demonstrated positive outcomes from working closely with Indigenous communities.
Additionally, Eby commended the recent trade agreement with China and shared insights from his trade mission to India, where there was significant interest from companies in B.C.’s critical mineral resources.
Overall, the government’s decision to amend DRIPA reflects a commitment to fostering constructive relationships with Indigenous communities while ensuring clarity and consistency in reconciliation efforts.