ICBA and several other groups have launched a petition to the Legislative Assembly of B.C., asking MLAs to:
1. Repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and repeal section 8.1 of the Interpretation Act; and
2. Unequivocally pronounce to British Columbia residents and the world that private property title is non-negotiable and will not be subject to encumbrances resulting from reconciliation, and indefeasible title will remain indefeasible even if constitutional protections are required to provide clear direction to the courts, and
3. Immediately pause further implementation of major new policy and regulatory initiatives affecting British Columbia’s natural resource sectors until their full environmental, social, and economic impacts on communities, workers, and businesses have been publicly assessed; and
4. Develop legislation, treaty, land-use and water planning frameworks and marine planning initiatives that support reconciliation, uphold environmental stewardship, enhance provincial economic well-being and protect the rights and interests of British Columbians whose livelihoods and communities are tied to the resource sector; and
5. Commit to a transparent, inclusive, and accountable process to review these initiatives, including cumulative economic impact assessments and meaningful consultation with communities, industry, labour, small business, and the general public; and
6. Those who face loss of tenure, income, or economic opportunity as a result of BC government decisions receive clear, fair, and timely compensation.
Add your name to the petition HERE.