First Nations, local governments ramp up opposition to B.C. ‘fast-track' bill
British Columbia's NDP government is facing more pushback on legislation aimed at fast-tracking major projects in the province.
First Nations and municipal leaders joined together on Thursday to call for the government to withdraw Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, which would grant cabinet new powers to expedite 'provincially significant' projects.
At a joint press conference, the First Nations Leadership Council and the Union of BC Municipalities said they hadn't been sufficiently consulted on the bill.
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Political Panel: B.C.'s bill 15 controversy and Carney's Cabinet
The legislation, as drafted, conflicts with the government's obligations under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples while granting the province 'extraordinary powers' to override local government regulations, including zoning bylaws and official community plans, the groups said.
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Union of British Columbia Municipalities president Trish Mandewo said that municipalities welcome the province's focus on speeding up housing construction.
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'But not through transferring power from communities to Victoria,' she said.
'The provisions in Bill 15 constitute an unnecessary overreach by the province into local decision-making.'
1:39
B.C. government to fast-track major resource projects and mines
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, said Bill 15 and the similar Bill 14, which aims to streamline renewable energy project approvals, defy the province's stated commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
'First Nations are not opposed to responsible development, and we understand the need to expedite the approval and construction of hospitals, schools, and other critical infrastructure,' he said.
'But Bills 14 and 15 go well beyond that, and the process that led to their development flouted First Nations' basic human rights and the province's own law, policy, and processes. There's only one way forward: the province must withdraw the bills as currently drafted, and we must work on principled solutions to the myriad of crises we face together.'
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B.C. Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma has previously admitted that the province 'made an error' in not adequately consulting First Nations on Bill 15.
But the provincial government has rejected criticism from First Nations and environmental groups, saying the bill does not change environmental standards or affect First Nations constitutional right to consultation on projects.
The Opposition BC Conservatives have called for the province to pull the bill to allow for more consultation, while the BC Greens say they will not support the bill.
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