On-reserve developments now subject to provincial regulations

What it means is that developments on reserves can now be subject to provincial regulations, when previously they were not as they are on federal land. The intention is to fill current gaps in regulation.

"The federal government's FNCIDA legislation sets the stage for B.C. to reach agreements with First Nations that will allow the more rigorous provincial rules to apply where they don't now," says Minister Polak.

Polak also says an agreement like this can address local concerns about on-reserve development, like helping with the cost of transportation and schools.

The proposed Liquefied Natural Gas facility on a Haisla Nation reserve near Kitimat has already been brought forward.