Latest news with #Bill15
Global News
an hour ago
- Business
- Global News
B.C. Premier David Eby leaves on a trade mission to Asia
B.C. Premier David Eby will hold a media availability on Saturday afternoon before he leaves on a trade mission to Asia. The conference will be carried live at 2:15 p.m. PT. Earlier this month, Eby announced he would be going to Asia, along with Agricultural Minister Lana Popham. They will visit Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. 'We have what the world needs, and B.C. faces two-thirds of the world's population,' Eby said in a statement on Saturday. 'Next week, I'll be in Asia reinforcing with businesses and government leaders that B.C. has a proven record of building major projects and the port access to deliver.' Eby said he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday and explained that B.C. has several projects that are shovel-ready and the legislation needed to knock down internal trade barriers. Story continues below advertisement 'In our call, we agreed that now is the time for Canada to move quickly on major these projects in partnership with First Nations and while maintaining the high environmental standards Canadians expect,' Eby said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'These projects are worth billions of dollars and will create thousands of good, family-supporting jobs. I continue to advocate for the establishment of economic corridors and the abolition of internal trade barriers to get B.C. and Canada's goods moving. 1:34 B.C. Premier David Eby to undertake trade mission to Asia This week, B.C.'s legislature spring sitting ended with the passage of two controversial bills that fast-track infrastructure projects, thanks to rare tie-breaking votes from Speaker Raj Chouhan. 'Yeah, Bill 14 and Bill 15 were controversial,' B.C. NDP house leader Mike Farnworth said Thursday after the final question period of the session. 'There were a lot of people opposed and a lot of people in favour, but we made it clear that we want to get things done in this province. The public expects us to be doing that.' Story continues below advertisement Bill 14 accelerates renewable energy projects and transmission lines, while Bill 15 expedites public and private infrastructure projects, including hospitals, schools, and mines. More to come. -with files from The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
As allies turn on B.C. NDP, house leader Farnworth celebrates ‘great session'
VICTORIA – Can a government have a 'great session' if its flagship legislation draws condemnation from a coalition of historical allies? B.C. NDP house leader Mike Farnworth thinks so, celebrating the end of the legislature's spring sitting that culminated Wednesday night with the passage of two controversial bills that fast-track infrastructure projects, thanks to rare tiebreaking votes from Speaker Raj Chouhan. 'Yeah, Bill 14 and Bill 15 were controversial,' Farnworth said Thursday after the final question period of the session. 'There were a lot of people opposed and a lot of people in favour, but we made it clear that we want to get things done in this province. The public expects us to be doing that.' The bills had become a flashpoint for the government, attracting criticism from the First Nations Leadership Council, environmentalists and some business groups. They said the fast-track bills undermined environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Farnworth said the federal government and other provinces have been grappling with the same issues of how to expedite big projects amid a trade war with the United States. 'At the end of the day, we made it clear that these bills were going to get through, our agenda was going to get through this session and that is what happened.' To the very end, the bills came under fire. As legislators were sitting down to vote on Wednesday night, Farnworth's former cabinet colleague Melanie Mark added her voice to the chorus. Mark, the first First Nations woman elected to B.C.'s legislature, called the government's behaviour 'astounding and disheartening' as she accused Eby and his cabinet of 'turning their backs' on First Nations, local governments and environmentalists. 'Politics should not stand in the way of progressive policies,' Mark said in a statement. 'Trampling on Indigenous rights just ends up getting reversed in the highest courts — taxpayers will end up paying for this oversight.' Bill 14 speeds up renewable energy projects and transmission lines, while Bill 15 speeds up public and private infrastructure projects like hospitals, schools and mines. 'Former minister Mark has an opinion,' Farnworth said. 'The Nisga'a Nation came out very much in favour of the legislation. This is one of the things, where government makes decisions … there are going to be people who are not happy and people who are going to be happy.' The Nisga'a Nation is one of the few Indigenous groups to back the legislation. Among the unhappy was Chief Don Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation, who declared an end to the 'era of trust' with the government. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs called the bills 'unilateralism.' Terry Teegee, a B.C. Assembly of First Nations regional chief, said the bills were 'regressive.' Mark said the government should reconsider the bills, saying the province had walked back plans in the past. She pointed to a controversial $789-million plan to rebuild the Royal B.C. Museum under former premier John Horgan that the government ultimately suspended after intense criticism. 'It didn't go over as planned but former premier John Horgan had the fortitude to recalibrate, pause the project and mandate more meaningful consultation,' Mark said. Mark said Eby can do the same in this situation, which would show the government honours the Crown's duty to consult with Indigenous people. 'It's never too late to do the right thing,' she said. But Eby said Wednesday that both bills were 'critically important' because they respond to a 'rapidly evolving situation.' He said B.C.'s largest trading partner, the United States under President Donald Trump, was attacking the provincial economy in the 'name of annexing' Canada as the 51st state. And Farnworth predicted British Columbians would come to see government's perspective. 'As time goes by, people will see how it's intended to work, and a lot of the fears will, in fact, be unfounded,' Farnworth said. Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at UBC, said Eby's government seemed 'hell-bent on being able to demonstrate vigorous action' to move the economy forward. 'But I think in doing so, they're placing a number potential landmines in their path,' he said. While they might be able to avoid them, they are already taking a toll, he added. Prest said the passage of the bills 'fragments' Eby's coalition, mobilizing groups that had broadly supported his government to instead act against it in a 'significant' way. He said the bills could potentially pit First Nations supporting particular projects against those opposed to the government granting itself additional powers through the bills. 'We are showing those divisions show up already,' Prest said, pointing to Mark's reaction. Farnworth quoted one of the bills' critics to argue that the relationships would withstand the current furor. 'Grand Chief Stewart Phillip once said that 'reconciliation is not for wimps,'' Farnworth said. 'It's not an easy road, and there will be bumps along the way, and there will be disagreements along the way. But reconciliation is a key cornerstone of our government, our party's values, and it's going to continue to be that.' Overall, the session saw the passage of 11 government bills and two private member's bills, one from the NDP, one from the Opposition Conservative Party of B.C. Eby acknowledged that government 'reduced the overall legislative agenda' during this spring session while adding more hours for debate. Farnworth said he did not see that as a failure. 'One of my key roles is to ensure, that we can come back in the fall, we have got work to do, that we have got bills ready to debate right away,' Farnworth said. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad was, naturally, less generous in his assessment. 'What we have seen from the government, is scrambling from crisis to crisis, and if that is what he (Farnworth) calls a great session, oh my gosh, I'm really looking forward to next spring.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025. Note to readers:This is a corrected story. A previous version said Bill 14 passed by four votes. In fact, it passed by one vote.
Global News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
BC NDP takes fire from allies over contentious bills as legislature sitting ends
Can a government have a 'great session' if its flagship legislation draws condemnation from a coalition of historical allies? B.C. NDP house leader Mike Farnworth thinks so, celebrating the end of the legislature's spring sitting that culminated Wednesday night with the passage of two controversial bills that fast-track infrastructure projects, thanks to rare tiebreaking votes from Speaker Raj Chouhan. 'Yeah, Bill 14 and Bill 15 were controversial,' Farnworth said Thursday after the final question period of the session. 'There were a lot of people opposed and a lot of people in favour, but we made it clear that we want to get things done in this province. The public expects us to be doing that.' 3:23 B.C. legislature votes on Bill 15 The bills had become a flashpoint for the government, attracting criticism from the First Nations Leadership Council, environmentalists and some business groups. Story continues below advertisement They said the fast-track bills undermined environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Farnworth said the federal government and other provinces have been grappling with the same issues of how to expedite big projects amid a trade war with the United States. 'At the end of the day, we made it clear that these bills were going to get through, our agenda was going to get through this session and that is what happened.' To the very end, the bills came under fire. As legislators were sitting down to vote on Wednesday night, Farnworth's former cabinet colleague Melanie Mark added her voice to the chorus. Mark, the first First Nations woman elected to B.C.'s legislature, called the government's behaviour 'astounding and disheartening' as she accused Eby and his cabinet of 'turning their backs' on First Nations, local governments and environmentalists. 'Politics should not stand in the way of progressive policies,' Mark said in a statement. 'Trampling on Indigenous rights just ends up getting reversed in the highest courts — taxpayers will end up paying for this oversight.' 1:45 Municipalities, First Nations team up to oppose provincial development bill Bill 14 speeds up renewable energy projects and transmission lines, while Bill 15 speeds up public and private infrastructure projects like hospitals, schools and mines. Story continues below advertisement 'Former minister Mark has an opinion,' Farnworth said. 'The Nisga'a Nation came out very much in favour of the legislation. This is one of the things, where government makes decisions … there are going to be people who are not happy and people who are going to be happy.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Nisga'a Nation is one of the few Indigenous groups to back the legislation. Among the unhappy was Chief Don Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation, who declared an end to the 'era of trust' with the government. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs called the bills 'unilateralism.' Terry Teegee, a B.C. Assembly of First Nations regional chief, said the bills were 'regressive.' Mark said the government should reconsider the bills, saying the province had walked back plans in the past. She pointed to a controversial $789-million plan to rebuild the Royal B.C. Museum under former premier John Horgan that the government ultimately suspended after intense criticism. 2:17 B.C.'s Bill 15 under fire from Indigeous leaders 'It didn't go over as planned but former premier John Horgan had the fortitude to recalibrate, pause the project and mandate more meaningful consultation,' Mark said. Story continues below advertisement Mark said Eby can do the same in this situation, which would show the government honours the Crown's duty to consult with Indigenous people. 'It's never too late to do the right thing,' she said. But Eby said Wednesday that both bills were 'critically important' because they respond to a 'rapidly evolving situation.' He said B.C.'s largest trading partner, the United States under President Donald Trump, was attacking the provincial economy in the 'name of annexing' Canada as the 51st state. And Farnworth predicted British Columbians would come to see government's perspective. 'As time goes by, people will see how it's intended to work, and a lot of the fears will, in fact, be unfounded,' Farnworth said. Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at UBC, said Eby's government seemed 'hell-bent on being able to demonstrate vigorous action' to move the economy forward. 'But I think in doing so, they're placing a number potential landmines in their path,' he said. While they might be able to avoid them, they are already taking a toll, he added. Prest said the passage of the bills 'fragments' Eby's coalition, mobilizing groups that had broadly supported his government to instead act against it in a 'significant' way. Story continues below advertisement 1:57 Mining association calls for fast-tracking permits He said the bills could potentially pit First Nations supporting particular projects against those opposed to the government granting itself additional powers through the bills. 'We are showing those divisions show up already,' Prest said, pointing to Mark's reaction. Farnworth quoted one of the bills' critics to argue that the relationships would withstand the current furor. 'Grand Chief Stewart Phillip once said that 'reconciliation is not for wimps,'' Farnworth said. 'It's not an easy road, and there will be bumps along the way, and there will be disagreements along the way. But reconciliation is a key cornerstone of our government, our party's values, and it's going to continue to be that.' Overall, the session saw the passage of 11 government bills and two private member's bills, one from the NDP, one from the Opposition Conservative Party of B.C. Story continues below advertisement Eby acknowledged that government 'reduced the overall legislative agenda' during this spring session while adding more hours for debate. Farnworth said he did not see that as a failure. 'One of my key roles is to ensure, that we can come back in the fall, we have got work to do, that we have got bills ready to debate right away,' Farnworth said. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad was, naturally, less generous in his assessment. 'What we have seen from the government, is scrambling from crisis to crisis, and if that is what he (Farnworth) calls a great session, oh my gosh, I'm really looking forward to next spring.'
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Update: Squamish Nation considering next steps after B.C. passes Bill 15
On Wednesday night, Bill 15 passed third and final reading in the Legislature by a vote of 47-to-46. New Democrats voted for the legislation, with 41 Conservatives, the two B.C. Greens, including Sea to Sky MLA Jeremy Valeriote, and the three Independents opposing it. The tie was broken by Speaker Raj Chouhan. Next, the bill will go to Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia for royal assent. (The last time royal assent was withheld was in 1920, according to Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia: Fifth Edition .) Regarding the passage of the bill, Sxwixwtn Wilson Williams, spokesperson and council member, said Thursday that Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) leadership are considering next steps. 'Council strongly opposes the provincial government's decision to push Bill 15 forward, despite several calls for the province to withdraw the bill for its threat to the constitutionally protected rights and title of Indigenous Peoples, including the Squamish Nation,' he said. 'As a result, we have now directed staff to undertake a comprehensive political and legal review to inform our next steps,' he added. 'The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Canada and the province have endorsed, emphasizes the necessity of obtaining free, prior, and informed consent from Indigenous peoples before implementing measures that may affect their lands, territories, and resources. Bill 15 is a step backwards in the province's relationship with Indigenous People. 'Since the introduction of UNDRIP, we have made notable progress in streamlining decision making with all levels of government and industry. However, despite these advancements, we will now be conducting a full analysis of how we will engage in the future.' Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) is taking a strong stand against what it deems a 'significant threat' to the constitutional rights and title of Indigenous Peoples of the provincial government's Bill 15- Infrastructure Projects Act , which is due to pass on Wednesday. In a letter addressed to Bowinn Ma, B.C.'s Minister for Infrastructure, Khelsilem, Nation council chairperson, appealed to the provincial government to immediately withdraw the legislation and to subsequently discuss amendments co-operatively. The Bill 15-Infrastructure Projects Act was first introduced on April 10 last year. It was drafted by the Ministry of Infrastructure with the aim of centralizing planning for major capital projects, such as schools and health care facilities. The bill would give the cabinet powers to fast-track such projects, which it deems significant to the province. The Nation's May 13 letter of appeal lists 'grave concerns' over the marginalization of Indigenous knowledge, centralized powers without accountability or transparency, and an overall lack of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (or FPIC). The Nation's commitment to a 'shared vision' with the province is also elaborated upon, as well as the province's legal and moral obligations, and co-decision making. Significantly, the Nation states that the bill is holistically 'a step backward… [in] a self-governing Nation with deep responsibilities to our lands and waters,' and that it 'is a clear violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).' According to the Nation, it had not received a response to its letter as of May 28. The Nation is not alone in its sentiments and disillusionment with the bill. Many other Indigenous organizations and leaders have spoken out against it. For example, an open letter was also presented to the province this week by the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) on behalf of the First Nations Summit, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and the BC Assembly of First Nations, which said the province was 'walking backwards with a top-down, 'economy first' agenda,' which could have 'irreparable' impacts on many First Nations' relationships. The letter described how the FNLC had convened with the province on May 15 at an All Chiefs Meeting where they communicated their—yet to be acknowledged—opposing stance, and that the wording within the proposition of Bill 15 was misleading and unclear, for example the definition of 'core territories,' and who would determine the whereabouts of a project. Furthermore, the FNLC suggested that the bill's proposal purported to uphold Indigenous rights as an explicit provision, including consent as a prerequisite, and yet was not included in the ultimate legislative wording. 'The honour of the Crown is at stake when the Crown engages with First Nations,' the letter reads, '[it is] part of honourable dealing… more than just semantics. 'This is not a matter for the Crown to decide, and this proposed approach seriously risks prejudicing First Nations because of new or persisting boundary disputes caused by colonial policies and processes. It is a paternalistic and dismissive approach [to core territories] in this context.' For its part, the Ministry of Infrastructure told The Squamish Chief that whilst it is understandable Indigenous People want clarity, the province remains committed to its obligations under DRIPA. In a statement, the ministry said that on March 26 it issued letters offering future, deeper consultations on the bill to all 204 Nations impacted. 'We acknowledge that our engagement process was shorter than we would have liked,' the emailed statement reads, 'but we want to be clear, the bill can't be used to shortcut Indigenous participation … Our government remains committed to reconciliation.' According to the Ministry, the obligation to consult with the First Nations is guaranteed by a section written directly into the bill, as well as the Interpretation Act, which is a separate piece of legislation ensuring that all legislation must be interpreted in a way that aligns with DRIPA. 'We are committed to working collaboratively with partners, and to ensuring projects uphold BC's world-class environmental standards and consultation with First Nations,' the statement continues. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
As allies turn on B.C. NDP, house leader Farnworth celebrates ‘great session'
VICTORIA - Can a government have a 'great session' if its flagship legislation draws condemnation from a coalition of historical allies? B.C. NDP house leader Mike Farnworth thinks so, celebrating the end of the legislature's spring sitting that culminated Wednesday night with the passage of two controversial bills that fast-track infrastructure projects, thanks to rare tiebreaking votes from Speaker Raj Chouhan. 'Yeah, Bill 14 and Bill 15 were controversial,' Farnworth said Thursday after the final question period of the session. 'There were a lot of people opposed and a lot of people in favour, but we made it clear that we want to get things done in this province. The public expects us to be doing that.' The bills had become a flashpoint for the government, attracting criticism from the First Nations Leadership Council, environmentalists and some business groups. They said the fast-track bills undermined environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Farnworth said the federal government and other provinces have been grappling with the same issues of how to expedite big projects amid a trade war with the United States. 'At the end of the day, we made it clear that these bills were going to get through, our agenda was going to get through this session and that is what happened.' To the very end, the bills came under fire. As legislators were sitting down to vote on Wednesday night, Farnworth's former cabinet colleague Melanie Mark added her voice to the chorus. Mark, the first First Nations woman elected to B.C.'s legislature, called the government's behaviour 'astounding and disheartening' as she accused Eby and his cabinet of 'turning their backs' on First Nations, local governments and environmentalists. 'Politics should not stand in the way of progressive policies,' Mark said in a statement. 'Trampling on Indigenous rights just ends up getting reversed in the highest courts — taxpayers will end up paying for this oversight.' Bill 14 speeds up renewable energy projects and transmission lines, while Bill 15 speeds up public and private infrastructure projects like hospitals, schools and mines. 'Former minister Mark has an opinion,' Farnworth said. 'The Nisga'a Nation came out very much in favour of the legislation. This is one of the things, where government makes decisions … there are going to be people who are not happy and people who are going to be happy.' The Nisga'a Nation is one of the few Indigenous groups to back the legislation. Among the unhappy was Chief Don Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation, who declared an end to the 'era of trust' with the government. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs called the bills 'unilateralism.' Terry Teegee, a B.C. Assembly of First Nations regional chief, said the bills were 'regressive.' Mark said the government should reconsider the bills, saying the province had walked back plans in the past. She pointed to a controversial $789-million plan to rebuild the Royal B.C. Museum under former premier John Horgan that the government ultimately suspended after intense criticism. 'It didn't go over as planned but former premier John Horgan had the fortitude to recalibrate, pause the project and mandate more meaningful consultation,' Mark said. Mark said Eby can do the same in this situation, which would show the government honours the Crown's duty to consult with Indigenous people. 'It's never too late to do the right thing,' she said. But Eby said Wednesday that both bills were 'critically important' because they respond to a 'rapidly evolving situation.' He said B.C.'s largest trading partner, the United States under President Donald Trump, was attacking the provincial economy in the 'name of annexing' Canada as the 51st state. And Farnworth predicted British Columbians would come to see government's perspective. 'As time goes by, people will see how it's intended to work, and a lot of the fears will, in fact, be unfounded,' Farnworth said. Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at UBC, said Eby's government seemed 'hell-bent on being able to demonstrate vigorous action' to move the economy forward. 'But I think in doing so, they're placing a number potential landmines in their path,' he said. While they might be able to avoid them, they are already taking a toll, he added. Prest said the passage of the bills 'fragments' Eby's coalition, mobilizing groups that had broadly supported his government to instead act against it in a 'significant' way. He said the bills could potentially pit First Nations supporting particular projects against those opposed to the government granting itself additional powers through the bills. 'We are showing those divisions show up already,' Prest said, pointing to Mark's reaction. Farnworth quoted one of the bills' critics to argue that the relationships would withstand the current furor. 'Grand Chief Stewart Phillip once said that 'reconciliation is not for wimps,'' Farnworth said. 'It's not an easy road, and there will be bumps along the way, and there will be disagreements along the way. But reconciliation is a key cornerstone of our government, our party's values, and it's going to continue to be that.' Overall, the session saw the passage of 11 government bills and two private member's bills, one from the NDP, one from the Opposition Conservative Party of B.C. Eby acknowledged that government 'reduced the overall legislative agenda' during this spring session while adding more hours for debate. Farnworth said he did not see that as a failure. 'One of my key roles is to ensure, that we can come back in the fall, we have got work to do, that we have got bills ready to debate right away,' Farnworth said. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad was, naturally, less generous in his assessment. 'What we have seen from the government, is scrambling from crisis to crisis, and if that is what he (Farnworth) calls a great session, oh my gosh, I'm really looking forward to next spring.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025. Note to readers:This is a corrected story. A previous version said Bill 14 passed by four votes. In fact, it passed by one vote.
