Eby faces ‘complete opposition’ after proposing suspension of DRIPA sections

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he will stake his government on suspending sections of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act for up to three years.

Speaking after a meeting with First Nations leaders, Eby says his government will pass legislation this session to suspend sections of the law that place the province at the greatest legal risk, in light of a court ruling that cited DRIPA and raised questions about B.C.’s mining rules.

A source who attended the meeting says there was “complete opposition” to the suspension plan from First Nations in attendance.

Eby says the suspension will be a confidence vote on his government, and he hopes First Nations leaders will at least tolerate the pause as the government appeals the mineral tenure case to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Eby did not identify which sections would be suspended, but says a pause is the “least invasive way possible” to find a path forward, while protecting the province from immediate legal exposure.

He says other sections of DRIPA will remain in effect.

Two sources attending the meeting had earlier told The Canadian Press of the suspension plan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.

Wolfgang Depner and Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press