Indigenous rights are central as B.C. legislature begins new sitting

The B.C. legislature opens a new sitting where debate will focus on government plans to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act after court rulings that expanded Indigenous rights; the government says amendments will be introduced during this session.

The B.C. legislature begins a new sitting with Indigenous rights expected to be a central topic. The debate follows recent court rulings that expanded Indigenous rights and found parts of provincial law inconsistent with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Premier David Eby has said the government will introduce amendments to DRIPA this session to guide how laws are brought into alignment. Indigenous groups and other critics have raised concerns about the consultation process, including reports that participation required non-disclosure agreements. Key points: - A December court ruling found the province's mineral claims regime inconsistent with DRIPA, establishing a new benchmark for implementing the declaration. - The provincial government has said it will introduce amendments to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act during this legislative session. - The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs has urged the government to abandon plans for amendments and cited fast-tracked consultations that required NDAs. - The government is expected to be in court later this week supporting Montrose Properties as it seeks to reopen the Cowichan case, a procedural step tied to past questions about notification and consultation. Summary: Public debate in the legislature will address how the province responds to recent court decisions and how DRIPA is implemented. The government plans to table amendments this session, and a related court hearing in the Cowichan/Montrose matter is scheduled for later this week.