VICTORIA, B.C. — The B.C. government’s decision to postpone its Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) overhaul confirms what municipalities, industry and private landowners have been saying for months: changes of this scale must not proceed without clear rules, defined liabilities, and predictable timelines.

Delaying the introduction of these changes is welcomed – however, the NDP continues to create massive uncertainty with their secret land-use agreements, and failure to properly manage the fallout from DRIPA (the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act).

Conservative Critic for Indigenous Relations MLA Scott McInnis said British Columbians need a framework that protects heritage while also affording industry and homeowners certainty and predictability. The NDP’s rushed amendments did neither.

“People deserve to know, before a shovel hits the ground, who is responsible for what, how long it will take and roughly what it will cost,” said McInnis. “That’s true whether you’re running a small landscaping job, building housing, or advancing a major exploration program.”

Recent events highlight the stakes. In Kamloops, routine landscaping work led to the discovery of ancestral remains; the property owners now face an estimated $80,000 in archaeology-related costs and lingering uncertainty over next steps and responsibilities.

The case underscores why clear guidance, cost expectations and role clarity are essential for private owners and small contractors, not just large developers.

Across the resource sector, groups have also warned that the HCA amendments proposed by the government would slow permitting, expand liabilities and deter investment unless key issues are fixed.

The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) has flagged risks to exploration timelines and recommended pausing to address fundamental concerns with direct input from impacted sectors and local governments.

“The goal should be a system that is transparent, timely and fair,” McInnis added. “The government continues rushing through major changes without proper planning and consultation. It’s creating uncertainty and uncertainty is costing our communities jobs.

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