Vaughn Palmer

VICTORIA — Premier David Eby faced tough questions this week for abandoning his changes to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in the face of strong opposition from First Nations. Are the New Democrats “now co-governing the province with First Nations leadership?” asked Opposition Leader Trevor Halford. Eby’s initial response was to accuse the Conservatives “of deliberately twisting this to spread fear.” But Halford pointed out that he was simply quoting Terry Teegee, BC regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations. …Teegee had said, “Ultimately First Nations have to get in the room — and to the negotiations table to make decisions on these important matters.” Halford pressed Eby a third time. …No way was Eby going acknowledge the regional chief on co-governance. …Eby’s ducking aside, it remained an open question whether the premier or the regional chief was the more reliable source of information on co-governance.