Latest news with #UnionofBCIndianChiefs
CBC
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
B.C. minister says government erred in not consulting First Nations on legislation
B.C.'s Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma said her government "made an error" in not adequately consulting First Nations on a bill proposing to speed up private and public infrastructure projects. Her admission came during debate Thursday on Bill 15 in the legislature over concerns relayed by the First Nations Leadership Council, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, and the B.C. Assembly of First Nations. Those opposed to the bill say it either needs to be fixed or killed because it undermines environmental assessments and the constitutional rights of First Nations to be consulted. Ma has rejected the complaints, saying the proposed bill neither changes environmental standards nor the constitutional rights of First Nations to be consulted on projects. But she acknowledged that the government has misread the interests of Indigenous leaders and promises that her government will consult First Nations widely on the regulations. Ma and Premier David Eby, who has already met with First Nations leaders about Bill 15, are scheduled to meet with them again later today. Opposition Conservative Leader John Rustad renewed his call on Thursday for the government to withdraw the bill to allow for proper consultations. "David Eby seems hell bent on just wanting to say, 'it's my way or the highway,'" Rustad said. B.C. Green Party member Rob Botterell said his party opposes the bill for a range of reasons, including the lack of consultation with First Nations. "It's a very broad piece of legislation that reserves a whole ton of power and decision-making to cabinet," Botterell said. The bill passed second reading on Tuesday by two votes, as 46 New Democrats voted in favour, while 41 Conservatives joined the two B.C. Greens and Independent Jordan Kealy to vote against it. Independents Brodie Dallas and Tara Armstrong were absent from the vote.
Hamilton Spectator
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
BC's development agenda tramples rights, First Nation leaders warn
Indigenous leaders across BC are sounding the alarm over two new provincial bills they say threaten to undermine their people's rights and weaken environmental safeguards. The legislation introduced by Premier David Eby's government aims to fast-track major infrastructure developments and clean energy projects. But First Nations leaders argue the bills were developed without the proper consultation required under BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Under DRIPA, the province is legally obligated to consult Indigenous communities in such cases, the leaders said. 'We're supposed to have not only a heads-up but co-development of laws and legislation and policies,' said Robert Phillips, political executive of the First Nations Summit, part of the First Nations Leadership Council. While the groups support economic growth, they are worried it could undermine Indigenous jurisdiction. 'While we support the Province taking action to counter Trump's erratic behaviour, such action must be principled,' said Stewart Phillip, grand chief and president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs in a press release. 'We are deeply alarmed by the province's continued backsliding on reconciliation.' Bill 15, known as the Infrastructure Projects Act tabled this month, grants the provincial cabinet sweeping authority to override local rules and environmental assessments for projects deemed 'provincially significant.' This includes the power to bypass local zoning bylaws, issue permits directly and even create alternative environmental assessments for projects like mines, mills and energy developments. While the premier has reassured people that the province remains committed to DRIPA and legislation will not override Indigenous rights, the leaders are not convinced. If the province ignores reconciliation in its rush to achieve economic growth, it will only face legal challenges that will serve no one's interests, Phillips said. He pointed to Mount Polley as an example of what happens when governments push ahead with industrial projects without proper consultation or rigorous environmental review. The 2014 tailings pond collapse at Mount Polley, in south-central BC, caused one of Canada's worst environmental disasters. Litigation over the mine's expansion continues. Phillips said meaningful consultation doesn't have to be a roadblock. For public infrastructure, like hospitals and schools, First Nations want to see faster progress too, he said — but they are concerned about environmental oversight, especially for large, private, profit-driven projects that can impact Indigenous territories for generations. 'I'm probably one of the most pro-business members of the leadership council,' he said. 'I want to see jobs and opportunities — but not at all costs. Not if it risks unravelling decades of work on rights recognition and environmental safeguards.' Phillips said many communities also lack the capacity to conduct their own environmental assessments or negotiate complex project terms, which makes early and robust engagement and access to capacity-building support even more essential. 'If First Nations aren't consulted and don't have consent, it jeopardizes everything we've worked to build under DRIPA,' he said. 'Reconciliation and economic growth are not incompatible — they go hand in hand.' Sonal Gupta / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer
National Observer
09-05-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
BC's development agenda tramples rights, First Nation leaders warn
Indigenous leaders across BC are sounding the alarm over two new provincial bills they say threaten to undermine their people's rights and weaken environmental safeguards. The legislation introduced by Premier David Eby's government aims to fast-track major infrastructure developments and clean energy projects. But First Nations leaders argue the bills were developed without the proper consultation required under BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Under DRIPA, the province is legally obligated to consult Indigenous communities in such cases, the leaders said. 'We're supposed to have not only a heads-up but co-development of laws and legislation and policies,' said Robert Phillips, political executive of the First Nations Summit, part of the First Nations Leadership Council. While the groups support economic growth, they are worried it could undermine Indigenous jurisdiction. 'While we support the Province taking action to counter Trump's erratic behaviour, such action must be principled,' said Stewart Phillip, grand chief and president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs in a press release. 'We are deeply alarmed by the province's continued backsliding on reconciliation.' Bill 15, known as the Infrastructure Projects Act tabled this month, grants the provincial cabinet sweeping authority to override local rules and environmental assessments for projects deemed "provincially significant." This includes the power to bypass local zoning bylaws, issue permits directly and even create alternative environmental assessments for projects like mines, mills and energy developments. 'If First Nations aren't consulted and don't have consent, it jeopardizes everything we've worked to build under DRIPA,' said Robert Phillips of First Nations Summit. 'Reconciliation and economic growth are not incompatible — they go hand in hand.' While the premier has reassured people that the province remains committed to DRIPA and legislation will not override Indigenous rights, the leaders are not convinced. If the province ignores reconciliation in its rush to achieve economic growth, it will only face legal challenges that will serve no one's interests, Phillips said. He pointed to Mount Polley as an example of what happens when governments push ahead with industrial projects without proper consultation or rigorous environmental review. The 2014 tailings pond collapse at Mount Polley, in south-central BC, caused one of Canada's worst environmental disasters. Litigation over the mine's expansion continues. Phillips said meaningful consultation doesn't have to be a roadblock. For public infrastructure, like hospitals and schools, First Nations want to see faster progress too, he said — but they are concerned about environmental oversight, especially for large, private, profit-driven projects that can impact Indigenous territories for generations. 'I'm probably one of the most pro-business members of the leadership council,' he said. 'I want to see jobs and opportunities — but not at all costs. Not if it risks unravelling decades of work on rights recognition and environmental safeguards.' Phillips said many communities also lack the capacity to conduct their own environmental assessments or negotiate complex project terms, which makes early and robust engagement and access to capacity-building support even more essential. 'If First Nations aren't consulted and don't have consent, it jeopardizes everything we've worked to build under DRIPA,' he said. 'Reconciliation and economic growth are not incompatible — they go hand in hand.'
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Media Advisory - Indigenous Leaders Say RCMP is Failing to Serve and Protect Their Communities; Leaders to Make Landmark Announcement in Vancouver
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Indigenous leaders from the Heiltsuk Nation and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) will be in Vancouver to make a landmark announcement regarding Indigenous-Crown relations and the safety of Indigenous people across Canada. Media are invited to join leaders from the Heiltsuk Nation and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs for the announcement, which includes short video testimonials. Media are asked to contact Andrew Frank at andrew@ to confirm their attendance, or to obtain Zoom webinar information to join remotely. When: Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9:00am PST Where: Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Room #420, 580 W Hastings St., Vancouver, BC Media will have an opportunity to participate in a Q&A. Additional video interviews and b-roll will also be available. SOURCE Heiltsuk Nation View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
