MLA Dan Davies raises concerns over Land Act legislation impact on British Columbians

FORT ST. JOHN B.C. — Peace River North MLA Dan Davies is raising concerns over the NDP government’s legislation to amend the Land Act, giving legal decision-making powers to First Nations over Crown land and claims it will impact all British Columbians.

“British Columbia is 95 per cent Crown land. We’re talking a lot of land. So any decision that is, in essence, being made on Crown lands should have the best interest of the residents of British Columbia — all residents,” said Davies.

The MLA is concerned that the new act will have severe and unintentional consequences on the food supply and the economy due to regulations and deals that the Canadian Government has with pasture communities involved in ranching, farming and mining. 

“These community pastures are absolutely critical in food sustainability,” said Davies

“I mean, if we can’t feed our people, we’re in trouble. This has implications in every single aspect. Oil and gas, forestry, and mining all take place on Crown land.”

According to Davies, other recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and more could be affected.  

The act currently puts the disposition and use of provincial Crown land in the hands of the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. 

According to the provincial government, the purpose of the Land Act is to enable the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) agreements with Indigenous governing bodies. The act is expected to provide a mechanism for Indigenous people to participate in decisions they are affected by. 

Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen posted a press release from the First Nations Leadership Council to social media last week explaining the amendments will not grant authority to First Nations governments but will allow the province to negotiate decision-making agreements.

“They will make space for the recognition and implementation of First Nations’ unceded governance rights in relation to land and resource development in their territories — through negotiation and agreement with the province in accordance with the Declaration Act – rights which have been largely ignored by colonial governments for the last century and a half,” states the release. 

The First Nation Leadership Council believes the amendments are a critical next step for the province in fulfilling its commitments under the Declaration Act.

Other details from the release state that any agreements that are negotiated will be subject to the public engagement processes mandated under DRIPA. 

Davies has accused the NDP Government of being secretive in its conduct of this legislation and its awareness to the public. 

“This issue is 100 per cent the government’s fault. It is done in secret, it is done to divide people, and we can’t continue down this path.”

“They’re talking about introducing this legislation in March, on a shortened spring session going into an election. It’s ludicrous. The government really has no intentions of engaging with the public on this,” Davies said. 

Davies hopes to make changes in the legislation through debating and changing public opinion by speaking to the media. 

“We have a legislative session coming up here in a couple of weeks, we definitely are going to be utilizing those tools through question periods through questioning when the legislation is tabled.”

Davies is also considering holding a town hall to help spread public awareness.

Energeticcity.ca intends to follow-up with local First Nations for comment. 

More information about DRIPA or the Land Act can be found here.