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Global News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
BC NDP's contentious fast-track legislation passes in tight vote
The BC NDP government's contentious bill to fast-track infrastructure projects has passed despite concerted opposition. Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, would allow the province to speed up major projects deemed of provincial importance by overriding certain permit and regulatory requirements. On Wednesday evening, the legislation narrowly passed in the Legislature with a 47-46 vote. The tie was broken by speaker Raj Chouhan. The bill has been met with major pushback by First Nations and municipalities, who argue it will allow the province to steamroll local decision-making and dodge Indigenous consultation. 1:45 Municipalities, First Nations team up to oppose provincial development bill Prior to the vote, Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma said the government would press ahead with the legislation, telling reporters on Wednesday it was too important to leave to the fall. Story continues below advertisement 'The urgency for the Infrastructure Projects Act will be clear to any parent who is struggling to enroll their child in the school of their choice close to home, only to find that school is completely bursting,' she said. 'We have seen an enormous growth in populations, and communities are calling on us to move things as quickly as possible.' The vote and legislation threatens to imperil a relationship with First Nations that B.C.'s NDP government has spent years building. 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 New Democrats enshrined the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in B.C. law, and have put Indigenous ownership and participation at the forefront of their clean energy and mining plans. But numerous First Nations leaders say pushing forward will cause lasting damage. 2:17 B.C.'s Bill 15 under fire from Indigeous leaders 'We just cannot tolerate how this is happening in terms of the bill being rammed forward without the proper consultation, without the free, prior and informed consent from First Nations,' said Robert Philips, a member of the First Nations Summit political executive. Story continues below advertisement 'When we have bills like this that will be in place for decades and decades, but potentially a government that will only be in place for four years, we don't know what is going to happen — so when the premier says to trust us, we find that very difficult to do.' Ma, who previously acknowledged that the government had erred by failing to adequately consult First Nations in drafting the legislation, has pledged that the province would enshrine a commitment to consultation and collaboration with nations when the regulations that the legislation empowers are drafted. She added that First Nations will be involved in the drafting of the definition of what constitutes a 'provincially significant project.' As for the damaged trust? 'There will be bumps along the way. Relationships are complicated, challenging, and worthwhile to build, develop and hold onto. And when there are rifts, we've got to work together,' Ma said. 'We have done a ton of work, incredible things with First Nations in all sorts of files across the province, in all sorts of sectors, and I believe there is more work for us to do, and we are continuing to commit to that work.' 2:01 B.C. outlines plan to fast track mining in northwest region of province But the NDP is facing opposition on multiple fronts, with pushback from municipal leaders who agree with the need to speed up projects — but not at the expense of local decision-making. Story continues below advertisement 'They are taking away the voice of municipal governments, which I think is totally wrong. Yes, I agree to fast-track infrastructure, hospitals, schools; we need that. But isn't that their job anyway?' said Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove. 'If they want to come in and change the way we do business? Stay out of my town, we'll take care of our own town, you guys do your business, and I'll do mine.' BC Conservative Leader John Rustad, meanwhile, said the New Democrats have created a mess for themselves by trying to insert the government into the economy. 'What concerns me the most is the government picking winners and losers,' Rustad said. 'What he is doing is he has created all the problems and wants to bypass it.' The bill also saw some last-minute fencing between the governing NDP and its sometimes partner, the BC Green Party. Opposition from a Green MLA scuttled an NDP attempt to amend the bill to enshrine First Nations consultation in law earlier this week. A subsequent 11th-hour attempt by the Greens to delay voting on the bill was defeated by the NDP.
Global News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
BC NDP's contentious fast-track legislation headed for critical vote
The BC NDP government's contentious bill to fast-track infrastructure projects is up for a vote Wednesday night, and the party is pressing forward despite concerted opposition. Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, would allow the province to speed up major projects deemed of provincial importance by overriding certain permit and regulatory requirements. The bill has been met with major pushback by First Nations and municipalities, who argue it will allow the province to steamroll local decision-making and dodge Indigenous consultation. 1:45 Municipalities, First Nations team up to oppose provincial development bill Despite that, Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma said the government is pressing ahead with a vote on the legislation, telling reporters on Wednesday it was too important to leave to the fall. Story continues below advertisement 'The urgency for the Infrastructure Projects Act will be clear to any parent who is struggling to enroll their child in the school of their choice close to home, only to find that school is completely bursting,' she said. 'We have seen an enormous growth in populations, and communities are calling on us to move things as quickly as possible.' The vote threatens to imperil a relationship with First Nations that B.C.'s NDP government has spent years building. The New Democrats enshrined the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in B.C. law, and have put Indigenous ownership and participation at the forefront of their clean energy and mining plans. 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 But numerous First Nations leaders say pushing forward will cause lasting damage. 2:17 B.C.'s Bill 15 under fire from Indigeous leaders 'We just cannot tolerate how this is happening in terms of the bill being rammed forward without the proper consultation, without the free, prior and informed consent from First Nations,' said Robert Philips, a member of the First Nations Summit political executive. Story continues below advertisement 'When we have bills like this that will be in place for decades and decades, but potentially a government that will only be in place for four years, we don't know what is going to happen — so when the premier says to trust us, we find that very difficult to do.' Ma, who previously acknowledged that the government had erred by failing to adequately consult First Nations in drafting the legislation, has pledged that the province would enshrine a commitment to consultation and collaboration with nations when the regulations that the legislation empowers are drafted. She added that First Nations will be involved in the drafting of the definition of what constitutes a 'provincially significant project.' As for the damaged trust? 'There will be bumps along the way. Relationships are complicated, challenging, and worthwhile to build, develop and hold onto. And when there are rifts, we've got to work together,' Ma said. 'We have done a ton of work, incredible things with First Nations in all sorts of files across the province, in all sorts of sectors, and I believe there is more work for us to do, and we are continuing to commit to that work.' 2:01 B.C. outlines plan to fast track mining in northwest region of province But the NDP is facing opposition on multiple fronts, with pushback from municipal leaders who agree with the need to speed up projects — but not at the expense of local decision-making. Story continues below advertisement 'They are taking away the voice of municipal governments, which I think is totally wrong. Yes, I agree to fast-track infrastructure, hospitals, schools; we need that. But isn't that their job anyway?' said Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove. 'If they want to come in and change the way we do business? Stay out of my town, we'll take care of our own town, you guys do your business, and I'll do mine.' BC Conservative Leader John Rustad, meanwhile, said the New Democrats have created a mess for themselves by trying to insert the government into the economy. 'What concerns me the most is the government picking winners and losers,' Rustad said. 'What he is doing is he has created all the problems and wants to bypass it.' The bill also saw some last-minute fencing between the governing NDP and its sometimes partner, the BC Green Party. Opposition from a Green MLA scuttled an NDP attempt to amend the bill to enshrine First Nations consultation in law earlier this week. A subsequent 11th-hour attempt by the Greens to delay voting on the bill was defeated by the NDP. The BC Conservatives say they will vote against the bill, but acknowledge they can't stop bit because of the NDP's slim majority.
Global News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Pressure mounts on B.C. NDP's fast-track bill ahead of critical vote
The chorus of voices against contentious British Columbia legislation to speed up infrastructure projects continues to swell, with the province's civil liberties association calling it a betrayal of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The association's call to immediately withdraw Bill 15 comes after a government amendment to improve consultation with First Nations failed, putting the bill on track to pass unchanged on Wednesday. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association says the bill was drafted in violation of the government's own Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and without input from First Nations. It says in a letter to the government that it's also worried the bill could fast-track 'politically unpopular' infrastructure projects at the expense of democratic processes. The association calls the bill a 'triple threat,' to the rights of Indigenous Peoples, democratic processes and the environmental health of the province. Story continues below advertisement Tuesday's letter comes after an amendment to boost First Nations consultation was proposed by Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma, but failed in the committee stage after Green Rob Botterell voting against it, saying it didn't go far enough. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Bill 15 has been condemned by First Nations leaders, municipal officials, environmental groups and other critics who say it gives too much power to the government. 2:01 B.C. outlines plan to fast track mining in northwest region of province Ma's amendment tabled Monday would have required government to consult 'broadly' on eligibility for fast-tracking provincially significant projects. She says she wanted to 'bind government' to creating regulations around provincially significant projects, something she says it would have done anyway and will continue to do after the bill's expected passage on Wednesday evening. Ma says government 'thought it would be appreciated' to establish the requirement in legislation, rather than regulation as originally promised. Story continues below advertisement But the amendment failed because parliamentary rules require the committee chair to vote against an amendment in case of a tie, with six New Democrats voting for the amendment, and five Conservatives and Botterell voting against it. Ma said no more amendments would be proposed before the legislature votes on Wednesday. The bills are expected to pass by the slimmest of margins, with Speaker Raj Chouhan likely to casting the deciding ballot. An open letter to Premier David Eby from the First Nations Leadership Council on Tuesday reiterates calls to withdraw Bill 15, as well as Bill 14 that the government says would streamline permitting for renewable energy projects. 'We need you to understand that there are 204 First Nations in British Columbia and, while you may find support among a select few who we wish well, your refusal to withdraw the Bills will have serious impacts on the FNLC's and many First Nations' relationships with your government,' says the letter. 'These impacts could well be irreparable.' The letter says First Nations leaders were 'dismayed' by what it says was a 'summary response' from Eby that he would not withdraw the bills to allow for more consultation, at a May 15 meeting.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Minister's bid to soothe concerns over B.C. fast-track bill is rejected
Contentious British Columbia legislation to speed up infrastructure projects is heading toward passage unchanged after a government amendment to improve consultation with First Nations failed. The amendment was proposed by Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma, but it failed in the committee state after Green Rob Botterell voting against it, saying it didn't go far enough. Bill 15 has been condemned by First Nations leaders, municipal officials and other critics who say it gives too much power to the government and undermines obligations to consult First Nations. Ma's amendment tabled Monday would have required government to consult 'broadly' on eligibility for fast-tracking provincially significant projects. She says she wanted to 'bind government' to creating regulations around provincially significant projects, something she says it would have done anyway and will continue to do after the bill's expected passage on Wednesday evening. Ma says government 'thought it would be appreciated' to establish the requirement in legislation, rather than regulation as originally promised. But the amendment failed because parliamentary rules require the committee chair to vote against an amendment in case of a tie, with six New Democrats voting for the amendment, and five Conservatives and Botterell voting against it. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025. Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Minister's bid to soothe concerns over B.C. fast-track bill is rejected
VICTORIA – Contentious British Columbia legislation to speed up infrastructure projects is heading toward passage unchanged after a government amendment to improve consultation with First Nations failed. The amendment was proposed by Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma, but it failed in the committee state after Green Rob Botterell voting against it, saying it didn't go far enough. Bill 15 has been condemned by First Nations leaders, municipal officials and other critics who say it gives too much power to the government and undermines obligations to consult First Nations. Ma's amendment tabled Monday would have required government to consult 'broadly' on eligibility for fast-tracking provincially significant projects. She says she wanted to 'bind government' to creating regulations around provincially significant projects, something she says it would have done anyway and will continue to do after the bill's expected passage on Wednesday evening. Ma says government 'thought it would be appreciated' to establish the requirement in legislation, rather than regulation as originally promised. But the amendment failed because parliamentary rules require the committee chair to vote against an amendment in case of a tie, with six New Democrats voting for the amendment, and five Conservatives and Botterell voting against it. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
