Vancouver, B.C.: The Conservative Caucus of B.C. responded today to the Province’s announcement that it has issued an environmental assessment certificate for the Eskay Creek Revitalization Project under a consent-based process with the Tahltan Central Government, which the government framed as direct result of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act or DRIPA.

The BC Conservatives strongly support these projects and the economic benefits they will bring to communities and the province. However, the recent NDP announcements do not provide the economy-wide stability needed to get our province back on track.

Interim Leader Trevor Halford said the government’s claims that the declaration framework is “getting projects off the ground faster” does not match the reality that industry and job-creators have been living with for years.

“If this government’s definition of ‘faster’ is delivering a decision six years after they passed their framework, then it’s clear why our natural resource sector is calling for change,” said Halford. “They rammed through Bill 15 saying it would speed up major projects; now they say it’s DRIPA. Which is it? While the Premier talks about amending the law, he’s also taking a victory lap claiming it works. That’s politics, not certainty for workers, communities, or investors.”

The Attorney General and other ministers have accused opposition parties of spreading misinformation; Halford rejected that characterization.

“The government drafted DRIPA with the intent of creating a DRIPA-first lens on every single regulation, law, or development. That is exactly how the courts have been interpreting it. Only the full repeal of DRIPA will create certainty and clarity across all sectors in B.C.” Halford added.

While acknowledging the economic potential highlighted by the province, including jobs and revenues tied to Eskay Creek, the BC Conservatives said British Columbians also deserve leadership on private property security.

“Today we saw a lineup of ministers touting a consent-based agreement for one mine,” Halford said. “Where is that urgency when it comes to protecting private property rights for British Columbians whose fee-simple certainty is being questioned? This government continues to come up short on the basics.”

Scott McInnis, Critic for Indigenous Relations, emphasized that repealing DRIPA would not affect constitutionally protected Indigenous rights.

“Canada already has the gold standard for Indigenous rights: Section 35 of the Constitution Act,” McInnis said. “Repealing DRIPA does not roll back Aboriginal or treaty rights. We’ve advanced major projects before 2019 by doing deep consultation and accommodation, and we can continue to do it consistently, respectfully, and in good faith.”

McInnis noted that First Nations in B.C. are diverse, and reconciliation must include every Nation, not only those with large resource footprints.

“There are 204 First Nations in B.C., and they do not all agree on DRIPA or Section 7 mechanisms. Government has a duty to reconcile with all Nations, including those without major natural resources or those left out by geography. A one-size, opaque process does not deliver fairness or predictability.”

The BC Conservatives reiterated their commitment to a clear, constitution-anchored approvals regime that delivers prompt, transparent decisions for major projects, rigorous environmental safeguards, and durable agreements with Indigenous governments, all within the settled framework of Section 35.

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Media Contact:
Francesca Guetchev, Press Secretary
Francesca.Guetchev@leg.bc.ca
+1 (672) 922-0948