Nathan Cullen
The BC government is scrapping a plan that was to allow shared decision-making with First Nations about the use of public land, a move Terry Teegee, regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations describes as a step back for reconciliation. …Minister Nathan Cullen said the province had decided not to proceed with proposed amendments after holding a series of meetings with stakeholders. Cullen said he spoke with people representing sectors including mining, forestry, oil and gas, tourism, hunting and agriculture, and the “vast majority” told him they want to be part of making reconciliation “work.” But he said officials also heard they need to “take the time to further engage with people and demonstrate the real benefits of shared decision-making.” The minister said some people “have gone to extremes to knowingly mislead the public”… adding there would have been “no impacts to tenures, renewals, private properties or access to Crown land.”
Additional Coverage:
- Government of BC: Minister’s statement on proposed Land Act amendments
- CBC: BC pauses plans to amend Land Act
- Globe and Mail: BC scraps plans to give First Nations more say over public land