VICTORIA, B.C.: Interim Leader of the Opposition Trevor Halford says Premier David Eby’s reported plan to suspend parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) is a political decision that will create even more uncertainty for British Columbians.

“This is not a solution, this is a political move,” said Halford. “The NDP are proposing to suspend parts of DRIPA for up to three years, conveniently pushing accountability beyond the next election in fall 2028.”

Halford said the move reflects a government in crisis and a government reacting to a state of chaos of their own making. “This government has hit the panic button,” Halford said. “The Premier does not have support from First Nations, he does not have clarity for British Columbians, and it’s becoming clear he does not even have consensus within his own caucus.”

Halford said the proposed suspension fails to provide certainty and instead raises more serious questions about what comes next. “British Columbians are asking a simple question: what happens if this plan fails too?” Halford said. “What is Plan C? What happens if this proposal is blocked, rejected, or overturned in court?”

“We are now being told parts of the law may be suspended while court cases play out, but no one can say what happens after that. That is not certainty, that is prolonged instability.”

Halford said the Premier is layering uncertainty on top of uncertainty, leaving families, workers, businesses, investors, and First Nations without clear answers on land, projects, and decision-making. “Instead of fixing the problem, the Premier is delaying it,” Halford said. “The government’s flip-flop on the issue is an admission this government has lost control of the situation.”

Halford said reconciliation in British Columbia did not begin with DRIPA and will continue regardless of what changes the government makes to the legislation.

“Reconciliation existed before 2019, and it will continue long after David Eby’s failed implementation of DRIPA is gone,” Halford said. “British Columbians can support reconciliation and demand certainty at the same time.”

Halford reiterated that British Columbians need clarity and stability. “People want certainty. What they’re getting is confusion, delay, and more unanswered questions.”

-30-

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